Tribute to Scottish victim of Hamas attack on Israel

Bernard Cowan is among more than 10 British citizens feared dead, or missing

Tributes have been paid to a grandfather who has been confirmed as the first Scottish victim of the Hamas assault on Israel.

Bernard Cowan grew up in the Glasgow area and settled in Israel where he lived with his wife and three children.

More than 700 people have been killed in Israel since Saturday and over 500 people have died in Gaza in retaliatory airstrikes.

Mr Cowan is among more than 10 British citizens feared dead, or missing.

He was identified by family members on social media as having been killed in the attack.

In a statement his family said: "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.

"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."

More on Israel-Gaza attacks

• Follow live: Latest updates

• Music festival: Partygoers fled for lives as bullets rained down

• Gaza: Fear and chaos in Gaza as Israel strikes back

• Israel: 'Nobody could help us' - Shock and anger in Ashkelon

• Explained: What's going on in Gaza and Israel, and why now?

Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf said his own in-laws are "trapped" in Gaza, as he unequivocally condemned the attacks by Hamas.

Nathanel Young, 20, who was serving with the Israel Defense Forces, is the only other Briton confirmed to have died.

But the BBC understands photographer Dan Darlington is thought by his family to be dead.

Sammy Stein said Mr Cowan used to visit his peace advocacy stall in Glasgow city centre

Sammy Stein, chairman of Glasgow Friends of Israel, runs a peace advocacy stall and knew Mr Cowan.

He told BBC Scotland News: "Bernard went to live in Israel and he lived very near the border, I mean just metres away from the Gaza border, which to him was an incredible place to live.

"It was quiet, it was peaceful and it was in the country. He loved it."

Mr Stein said Mr Cowan returned to Glasgow regularly and always stopped at his stall on the city's Buchanan Street to update campaigners on the situation in the Middle East.

He described news of his death as "really, really dreadful" and admitted it was difficult to process.

Mr Stein added: "Many people were killed and injured but when it's somebody that you know personally it is a lot more difficult to understand, comprehend and accept."

He said Mr Cowan would be remembered during a mourning evening on Monday at Giffnock Synagogue.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: "We don't comment on individual consular cases.

"However we can confirm we are in contact with - and assisting - the families of several individuals in Israel and the OPTs.

"The safety of all British nationals continues to be our utmost priority and we urge everyone to continue to follow our travel advice which is updated regularly."