Flights have been organised to get British nationals out of Israel, the Foreign Office has said, with the first plane set to leave Tel Aviv on Thursday.

A rapid deployment team is also on its way to assist British citizens on the ground.

Vulnerable people are prioritised, according to the Foreign Office, and commercial flights will be helped to the UK to bring back British nationals trying to leave the country.

Those eligible for the flights will be contacted directly and British nationals should not make their way to the airport unless they are called, the government added.

Israel prepares for ground invasion – follow live conflict updates

At least 2,400 lives have been claimed in the war, which was ignited by a bloody and wide-ranging Hamas attack on Israel at the weekend, and concerns remain for Brits still there.

Jake Marlowe, 26, became the fourth Briton to be confirmed killed on Wednesday, with at least 17 UK nationals in total reported either dead or missing.

Ex-Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone avoids jail after pleading guilty to fraud

Captain Tom’s daughter says he wanted her to keep book profits – despite readers being told they were going to charity

Wembley Stadium arch won’t be lit in Israel’s colours – as flags and kits also restricted

The Foreign Office, which has said family members of its diplomats are leaving Israel as a “precautionary measure”, has advised against all but essential travel to the country.

At least 100 people are believed to have travelled from the UK to Israel to serve in the military there according to the Israeli Embassy in the UK.

17 British nationals, including children, killed or missing, Sky News understands

Missing Irish-Israeli woman confirmed dead

Met Police appeals for people to send them footage of attacks in Israel

22 Americans have been killed, US state department says

Netanyahu and opposition agree to form emergency government

UK foreign secretary runs for cover during Israel visit

At least 1,300 Israelis dead and more than 2,700 injured, IDF says

At least 1,354 Palestinians dead and 6,049 injured in Israeli strikes, Gaza Health Ministry says

UK royals issue statements in solidarity with Israel

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

British families of Israeli hostages, meanwhile, said the Hamas invasion of Israel amounts to a “second Holocaust”.

The mother of Noam Sagi, 53, and the parents of Sharon Lifschitz, 52, were taken hostage after Hamas fighters entered Kibbutz Nir Oz near the border with Gaza on Saturday.

Mr Sagi told reporters he should be celebrating his mother Ada’s 75th birthday and said the situation has created “the biggest hostage crisis the world has faced in decades”.

Ms Lifschitz described how her parents, whom she is not naming out of fear for their safety, have fought for peace in the region all their lives.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

It comes as Israel continues to bombard Gaza, where Israeli citizens are held hostage and the UN reports 340,000 people have been left displaced.

Rescue workers warn the situation is made more dire as Israel continues to block goods from entering the Gaza Strip, where 2.3 million people live.

The Red Cross has pleaded for fuel to be allowed in to prevent hospitals from “turning into morgues”, but Israel says it will not break its siege until all captives taken by Hamas are freed.

Read more:
‘More than 300% increase in antisemitic incidents in UK’
Airlines scramble to get citizens out of Israel

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Hamas is the “enemy of civilisation” and vowed the group will be “crushed”.

Speaking alongside US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Israel on Thursday, Mr Netanyahu said the militant group should be treated “exactly as ISIS was treated”.

He said “no country should harbour” Hamas militants – and those that do should be sanctioned – as he condemned the “murder of children in front of their parents”, the “burning of people alive” and “beheadings”.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

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:

Four people from two households able to meet outdoors in Scotland from Friday as lockdown eased Cautious optimism with deaths remaining low despite rising number of cases Three people arrested after police officers slashed in West Bromwich town centre Boy, 13, died after leaving school bus early and jumping off Tower Bridge into Thames No more COVID rules in England before New Year, Javid confirms Charles and Camilla join Big Jubilee Lunch as millions across the UK party on final day of celebrations Queen hologram appears in Gold State Coach during Jubilee pageant Letby ‘told colleague that taking first alleged murder victim to mortuary was hardest thing she’d had to do’ Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Manchester United with immediate effect Two people arrested on suspicion of malicious communications over missing Nicola Bulley Giant barge set to be used to house asylum seekers arrives in UK waters Police hunt convicted child rapist who poses ‘real risk to children and women’