British-Israeli hostage ‘dies in Gaza’ hours after video of him alive sent to family

Mr Popplewell has been in Gaza since October 7 (Pictures: Getty)

The Foreign Office is investigating the alleged death of British-Israeli hostage Nadav Popplewell shortly after a video showing him alive was released to his family.

Hamas has claimed that Mr Popplewell – who has been held hostage in Gaza since October 7 – died from wounds sustained in Israeli airstrikes.

Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, made the announcement about Mr Popplewell, 51, hours after a clip of him alive was released.

Undated footage of Mr Popplewell showed the British-Israeli citizen with a black eye as he confirmed his name on video.

Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: ‘I watched that video and you just think, what callous people they are to do that, to play with the family’s emotions in that way.

‘I met Nadav’s family, his sister, and I know the heartbreak they’ve been going through for over 200 days, and when you see what Hamas are prepared to do, you just realise the terrible, dreadful, inhuman people, frankly, that we are dealing with.’

Many hostages remain in Gaza, more than six months into the conflict (Picture: AFP)

Ayelet Svatitzky, the sister of Mr Popplewell, has campaigned for her brother’s release (Picture: PA)

Today, Lord Cameron said he could give no updates on the fate of Mr Popplewell as the Foreign Office investigates what happened.

Hamas has provided no evidence for their claim and the Israeli military has not commented.

On Saturday, an FCDO spokesperson said: ‘We’re urgently seeking more information following the release of this video. Our thoughts are with his family at this extremely distressing time.

‘The UK Government has been working with partners across the region to secure the release of hostages, including British nationals. We will continue to do all we can to secure the release of hostages.’

Lord Cameron also urged the BBC to call Hamas a terrorist group, adding: ‘Maybe it’s a moment actually for the BBC to ask itself again, shall we describe these people as terrorists? They are terrorists.’

Israel has previously denied accusations by Hamas that hostages were killed by Israeli fire.

Mr Popplewell was captured with his mother from her home in Kibbutz Nirim, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.

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His brother was killed during the attack. His mother was released during a temporary ceasefire in November.

The campaign group described him as ‘generous and kind’ and an avid reader of science fiction novels.

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