Israel-Gaza war: Walsall woman's friend feared abducted

Helite Butler said she has to believe her friend and her children who are missing are still alive

A woman has spoken of her fears for her childhood friend who is thought to be being held hostage in Gaza.

Helite Butler, a British Israeli now living in Walsall, believes her friend and children were kidnapped by Hamas from their home in Israel in October.

Two other family members have been killed.

Ms Butler wants the UK government to do more to save those held hostage by the militant group. The government was approached for comment.

Ms Butler's friend Chen and some of her children are missing, and thought kidnapped, following the attack by Hamas on Israel on 7 October, in which 242 people were taken.

Her friend's husband and daughter were killed in the assault and have been buried.

Members of the family have been killed and others are believed to have been kidnapped

She said it was a pain that was hard to describe.

"The experiences that my friends and family have gone through is in my head, there are nights I can't even close my eyes."

Another friend of Ms Butler, Omri Almog, who is still in Tel-Aviv, added: "I am worried but I am going to try and send her good thoughts.

"I know she is very strong mentally, physically and she will do everything she can in her power there to keep the children safe."

Ms Butler is urging the UK government to do more to help her friend and her family.

"All we can do is just have faith, really hope that they are together and they are still alive," she said.

"I need to bring the family back, the children back home. I need to help. I can't just sit there."