A London man serving in the Israeli army has been killed during an attack by Hamas militants in the country.

Corporal Nathanel Young, 20, was a soldier in the 13th Battalion, according to the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF).

His family shared the news of his passing on Facebook, telling of their "heartbreak" after the young man was killed in the border region between Israel and the Gaza Strip.

Family of British man 'tragically killed' in Israel releases statement

They added: "Our little brother Nathanel Young was tragically killed on the Gaza Border yesterday."

Nathanel was a former pupil at JFS, a mixed comprehensive Jewish school in North London.

According to the Jewish News, the British man had been living in the Bayit Shel Benji home for lone IDF soldiers just north of Tel Aviv.

In their tribute, the Young family said: "Nathanel was full of life and the life of the party - he carried the nickname DJ on base and at Benji's house, the lone soldier house that he lived at.

"He loved his family and friends and was loved by everyone. He loved music and was a talented DJ.

"Always willing to go to any lengths for his loved ones. An amazing uncle and brother. He was so happy and thriving in Israel. He loved the country."

His brother Eliot Young told Sky News: "Nathanel always had strong Jewish pride. From a young age he has always wanted to play an important role in defending his country - it's something he talked about a lot."

He added: "Nathanel was also a bubbly guy who my two little daughters loved playing with and were always so excited to visit.

"When Nathanel could have taken his days off to sleep and re-energise, he instead found out where we were, which wasn't always so close to him, and came to join us."

It has been reported that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is in contact with British families in the Israeli and Palestinian territories.