At least 17 British nationals are dead or missing in Israel after Hamas terrorists attacked the country.

Since the attack started on Saturday, families have paid heartbreaking tributes to their loved ones caught up in the attack, and pleaded for information about those still missing.

Nathanel Young, 20, was killed fighting Hamas terrorists on the Gaza border. He was serving in the IDF.

The former JFS pupil had been living in Bayit Shel Benji, a house for immigrant and veteran lone soldiers in the city of Raanana after moving to Israel from London.

Nathanel’s brother Eliot said in a statement: "Nathanel was full of life and the life of the party. He loved his family and friends and was loved by everyone.

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The announcement came as British citizen Nathanel Young who was serving in the IDF was killed by Hamas terrorists (Photo: Facebook)

"He loved music and was a talented DJ, DJing both on base and at Benji's House, the lone-soldier house where he was living."

Jake Marlowe, 26, who went to the same London school, is missing after working as part of a security team at an all-night dance music festival being held near Kibbutz Re'im, close to the Gaza Strip.

His parents, Lisa and Michael, who live in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, have launched a desperate appeal for help to locate their son. 

His lifelong friend Daniel Aboudy told the JC: “Even in the last moments at this event when there were signals of rockets coming over and terrorists coming in he tried to help people evacuate.

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Jake Marlowe vanished at the music festival being held near Gaza (Image: Facebook)

“It is a testament to his character, he would give the shirt off his back to help others. I hope in making the sacrifices he tends to make he didn’t do anything reckless.”

Dor Shafir and his fiancée, Savion Hen Kiper, both 30, were also attending the music festival. At around 7am on Saturday Dor sent a text to say he and Savion had managed to find shelter.

But Savion was later found dead, while Dor remained missing this week, his family said.

Speaking through tears on GMB, Dor’s mother Miryam Shafi said: “Savion and Dor were planning to get married next year, and I want to make them a wedding."

Meanwhile, British photographer Danny Darlington and his girlfriend Carolin Bohl who were on holiday in southern Israel at the time of the attack are feared dead.

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Danny Darlington posing for holiday snap with Carolin Bohl (Photo: Instagram)

The pair were in Kibbutz Nir Oz when it was attacked by Hamas terrorists. Their whereabouts have not been accounted for since they went into hiding in a bunker.

His sister Shelley Darlington wrote on Facebook: “My heart is broken. My baby brother is gone.

“Thanking people for their messages of support, she continued: “Knowing how many people loved and cared for Danny and reading your memories of him will never bring him back, but it does offer a slither of comfort to the indescribable pain I am feeling.”

Bernard Cowan, 57, who grew up around Glasgow, is also among those to have been killed in the shock attack.

His family told the BBC: "We are grieving the loss of our son and brother, Bernard Cowan, who was horrifically murdered on Saturday during the surprise terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas.

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Bernard Cowan (Photo: Getty)

"We ask for privacy at this time while we process this huge loss to our family, both at home and in Israel, and to the Jewish community in Glasgow where he will be sorely missed."

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said "a significant number" of British nationals had been caught up in the terror attack. Cleverly said he was "uncomfortable" giving exact numbers about the number of Britons affected due to the situation being "fast-moving".

The Cabinet minister told LBC on Tuesday morning: "Even from the Israeli government, a lot of the figures about the casualties and fatalities are as yet to be fully confirmed."

He said the Government was "standing ready" to support any British citizens who are concerned or whose loved ones have been "injured in any way".