Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called for hostages held by Hamas to be released “immediately and unconditionally” in a speech on Monday morning to family members of the British citizens who were taken captive or murdered on October 7.

“I want you to know as your prime minister that every single word you have said to me this morning has been hugely impactful and will be thought by me over and over again – as it should be”, Starmer told the families.

“I will do everything to keep alive the memory of those who were killed and to bring the hostages home”, he continued.

Starmer said the government would “not give up until your family come home.”

Tragically, he noted that, “15 British nationals were brutally slain on October 7. Another died in captivity. Over a thousand people massacred by Hamas. For the simple reason that they were Jewish.”

The prime minister said Hamas’s atrocities were, “not just an attack on individuals but on Jewish communities, on their way of life and on the state of Israel, which is the symbol of Jewish security to the world.”

The event, hosted in Downing Street was also attended by a number of Jewish communal organisations.

Board of Deputies president Phil Rosenberg, whose organisation helped facilitate the event, emphasised the very real hurt for British Jews ahead of the anniversary: “These were not tragic events in some distant land. They were not even just the modern evil echoes – streamed live on go-pros by jubilant terrorists – of a history we thought was past: of the crusades, of the pogroms, of the Shoah … So many of us were impacted personally too.”

Board of Deputies President Phil Rosenberg. Credit: 10 Downing Street

Rosenberg described the loss of Nathanel Young, from Southgate, a family friend, and the family members of Board of Deputies staff member Adam Ma’anit, whose 18 year old cousin, Maayan, was murdered on October 7. Her father, Tzachi was taken captive by Hamas: “Nearly a year on, nothing is known of his wellbeing. Nothing is known of his whereabouts”, the Board president said.

Hostage family members also addressed those present, which included Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Mandy Damari, whose daughter Emily is still held hostage in Gaza, described how “my personal clock stopped at 10:24 on October 7”, which was when Emily had sent a message she was unable to finish, as Hamas attacked.

“My only daughter, who I love with all my heart and soul…the strongest person I know”, she said. “She loves life, however, her life is no longer in her own hands.”

Stephen Brisley, whose sister Lianne and nieces Noiya and Yahel were killed on October 7, also spoke. Stephen’s brother-in-law Eli and Eli’s brother Yossi were taken hostage – Yossi was killed in January. He movingly described his family members and how much they “loved life”.

“We owe it to them to not let their deaths be in vain…may we find the strength to carry their light forward and may their memories be a blessing.”

At another event, hosted by law firm Mishcon de Reya, hostage families were presented with a message of solidarity from the King and Queen, conveyed by the Foreign Office.

It said: “Their Majesties have asked us to convey that they continue to keep you and all hostage families in their special thoughts and offer their prayers for your strength and endurance during such a dreadfully difficult and agonising time for you.”