Tributes for 'brave' British-Israeli father murdered in Hamas attack

Yonatan Rapoport leaves behind two young children, Yosefi and Aluma

Murdered British-Israeli man Yonatan Rapoport has been remembered as "a great father" who stood "bravely against" Hamas.

Mr Rapoport, known as Yoni, was killed in the Palestinian militant group's attack on kibbutz Be'eri last week.

His mother described him as "a lovely man" with "a wonderful sense of humour and the most amazing smile that just lit up the room".

The UK government says Hamas has killed "at least" nine British nationals.

Footage verified by the BBC showed Hamas gunmen arriving at the gates of Be'eri on the morning of 7 October - the day Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel.

The clip shows them attempting to crawl under the community's gates. When that failed they hide in a booth before ambushing an approaching car, killing the occupants, then entering Be'eri and beginning what would become a day-long attack.

Noelle Rapoport, Yoni's mother, said he was "very much loved" on the kibbutz, particularly by the older residents.

"He never went by without smiling at them, saying hello and helping them," she said.

The father-of-two was a "diehard" Manchester United fan, those who knew him said, and was planning to take his son to their Old Trafford ground for a match next month.

"He was so excited to be taking Yosefi with him so it's very heartbreaking now. Yoni will always be with us. He's in my heart and always will be and I just miss him," Noelle said.

Adam Rapoport, Yoni's brother, described him as a "great father" who was a gardener at the kibbutz, and who loved "the trees and the nature".

He said the family think Yoni was killed when "the terrorist opened the door of the safe room... he said to his two kids to get under the bed so the terrorist couldn't see them".

Golan Abitol, Yoni's best friend, said it was hard to speak about his friend in the past tense.

"He was a gentle person. He was so kind and so loving," he said.

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In a statement shared by the Israeli fan club of Manchester United, Mr Rapoport was said to have "stood bravely against the inferno" - but "couldn't overcome the vile murderers".

It described his "whole family" as being "diehard fans" and "veteran club members" who were planning to visit the club's ground for their upcoming game against Luton Town on 11 November.

"Yonatan was excited to take his son Yosefi [to Manchester] for the first time," the statement went on, before telling Mr Rapoport's relatives "the whole community embraces you and shares deeply in your sorrow".

The father-of-two - pictured in the middle - had visited Old Trafford before

The UK government has said that as well as "at least" nine British nationals killed in Hamas's attack, a further seven are missing, some of whom are feared dead or being held hostage in Gaza.

The total number of people thought to have been killed in Israel since the fighting broke out earlier this month currently stands at more than 1,400. More than 3,700 people have also died in Gaza since Israel launched retaliatory air strikes.

Roi, 54, is another British citizen to have been confirmed dead in the last few days.

Roi was found shot dead at the back of his home, according to his sister

His sister Ayelet Svatitzky said her brother was found shot dead at the back of his home, the day after Hamas militants attacked Israel - including her mother's home.

Ms Svatitzky's mother, 79-year-old Channah Peri, and her other brother Nadav Popplewell, 51, were abducted by gunmen and have not been seen since, she added.

"I'm in utter shock," Ms Svatitzky told the BBC, adding that both her mother and surviving brother are diabetic. "We don't know what kind of conditions they are being held in."

Asked if she hoped her relatives were together, she said: "In all honesty, I try not to [think about it] because it's just too difficult ... I'm holding Hamas responsible and I think that the international community should hold them responsible and accountable for this."

Of Roi, whose surname has not been disclosed, Ms Svatitzky said: "I've lost my brother, there's nothing I can do about it. All I can do is bury him."

The stories of UK nationals who have lost their lives due to the Israel-Gaza war are still emerging. You can read more about the people we know have died here.