Britons are “highly likely” to be among those held by Hamas in Gaza, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has told Sky News.

The cabinet minister revealed the UK had also sent additional intelligence personnel to the region as part of efforts to release those captured or assist citizens trapped in the besieged enclave.

His comments came as the UK prepares to send RAF aircraft and Royal Navy ships to the eastern Mediterranean to support Israel and “send a signal” to the wider region in the wake of the surprise attack by Hamas on Saturday, unleashing a conflict that has already claimed at least 2,400 lives.

Pressed over whether UK citizens were among those kidnapped by insurgents, Mr Shapps said: “It seems very likely that there are. We don’t have exact data on that for obvious reasons.

“But within Gaza, there will also be Brits, or possibly people with dual nationalities as well.

“The prime minister has spoken to the Egyptian president about using that border to get people out.

“The situation is far from clear.

“It’s one of the reasons, as I mentioned before, we’ve sent additional personnel, intelligence personnel, in order to assist with exactly those types of operations.”

Read more:
Follow the latest on Israel-Hamas war

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Mr Shapps added: “It is highly likely no one will know for sure, that there are those with, either British nationals or people with a joint nationality involved in the hostage situation that has been reported previously.

“Secondly, that we’re sending assistance and expertise, including intelligence, to the region and to a number of different locations.”

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive Breaking News alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News App. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Related posts:

UK reports 36,660 new COVID cases and 50 more deaths Shortage of gritter drivers could leave motorists stuck on icy roads this winter, councils warn Student guilty of murdering step-grandmother after ‘truth or dare’ game confession Huge fire on the Wirral may have been deliberately started Spring booster jabs to be offered to millions of vulnerable people in England Central London student flats murder victim named as manhunt continues Britain and allies face ‘1937 moment’ following Ukraine war, head of army to warn UK-French taskforce set up to tackle travel chaos after huge queues at Dover England star reveals two key things they’ll need to defeat Germany in the Euro 2022 final tomorrow A total shock’: Michelin star chef Paul Kitching dies School which ‘refused entry’ to Ofsted over headteacher’s death facing inspection Police release bodycam footage after dog tasered and put into wheelie bin