A spokesman for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Thursday that at least nine British citizens were killed, and seven others are still missing, after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.
The spokesman said that some of the missing “are feared to be among those killed or kidnapped.”
Sunak arrived in Saudi Arabia on the second leg of his visit to the Middle East.
Earlier on Thursday he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, and said Britain supports “Israel’s right to defend itself, in line with international law” but also added to calls to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Americans should be careful
In a related context, the US State Department issued a rare and global warning, today, Thursday, advising all American citizens abroad to “exercise increased caution,” noting “the increasing tensions in various locations around the world and the possibility of attacks, demonstrations, or acts of violence against American citizens.”
The warning comes as protests erupt across the Middle East in response to the war between Israel and Hamas, with many protesters targeting US diplomatic compounds.
The State Department raised the travel advisory for Lebanon and Israel to the highest level and allowed non-essential US government employees and their family members to leave.
The US Senate is scheduled to vote later today on a resolution confirming its support for Israel.
The resolution indicates that the Senate stands with Israel in its self-defense, including Israeli efforts to reduce the threat posed by Hamas; Reaffirms Israel’s right to self-defense, and commits to helping Israel protect its people from any future aggression; It calls on all countries to condemn the war in Gaza.
