THE SAS is "on high alert" and ready to assist Israeli elite forces to rescue up to nine missing Britons who may be held by Hamas in Gaza.

Official sources said that SAS personnel were working alongside Israeli and US forces to collect intelligence to locate the missing hostages.

A UK special forces source told the i : “It is understood that events in southern Israel have triggered a change in the readiness of UK special forces.

“An SAS squadron on a training operation had last week finished its detachment several days early as part of unspecified deployment plans.”

It comes as a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed that at least seven Brits have been killed and nine are missing since the terror group's attack on Israel.

"I can sadly confirm that at least seven British nationals have been tragically killed," the spokesperson said.

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"A further nine British nationals are missing, some of whom are feared to be among the dead."

It comes as:

• The strike at the hospital sparked furious protests in Lebanon
• Chilling images show the house where a Brit girl was killed by Hamas
• A Hamas top terror commander was killed in an Israeli airstrike
• Europe is on terror alert after Belgium and France attacks
• The Mum of an Israeli hostage begged the world "help bring my baby home" after sickening video of her in captivity
• Iran warned Israel it will be "eradicated" after pre-emptive strike threat

Among the casualties is British teenager Yahel who was killed after the Hamas stormed her home during the militants' horrifying day-long rampage through Kibbutz Be’eri.

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The 13-year-old girl was tragically killed in the Hamas attack while her sister is feared to have been kidnapped.

Other British victims were Jake Marlowe, 26, who worked as a security guard at the Nova music festival – the first target of Hamas terrorists when they launched an attack on October 7.

Scot Bernard Cowan, 57, Corporal Nathanel Young, 20 and photographer Daniel Darlington, 34 were also killed in Israel.

Israel's elite Sayeret Matka, experts in hostage recovery, is preparing to launch a special forces unit to rescue the hostages trapped in Gaza.

The special reconnaissance unit has been placed on standby since last week as the Southern Levant nation prepares a daring mission to rescue more than 100 hostages from Hamas.

Israel has stated that there is a total of 199 hostages but Hamas says it captured 250.

While the majority of the hostages are from Israel, it is believed nationals from 30 countries are being held by the terror group including 20 American and eight German citizens missing.

Hostages have been held as human shields in tunnels, apartments buildings and military bases to deter Israeli attacks while a disturbing video appeared to show Hamas holding up kids and toddlers following their deadly attack.

Military veteran and chief executive of security and intelligence group Sibylline, Justin Crump told the outlet: "The way that Hamas is holding the hostages looks like they’ve scattered them over the territory of Gaza very widely."

He added that Hamas will be trying to keep hostages alive planning to use them as “bargaining chips” in negotiations with Israel.

And former chief of general staff in the British Army General Lord Richard Dannatt added: “Hostage rescue is one of the UK special forces’ specialities.

"We’re among the best in the world at just this situation."

Hamas staged a surprise assault on Israel on October 7, turning a music festival into a massacre that left hundreds of Israelis dead.

As Hamas retreated back into Gaza taking young hostages, Israel discovered 260 bodies of slaughtered partygoers among the desert plains.

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Among those still missing from the festival massacre is German tattoo artist Shani Louk.

The 22-year-old was filmed dancing and singing moments before she was seen paraded by Hamas in a pick-up truck.

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