LONDON — Rishi Sunak confirmed that six British citizens have been killed following Hamas’ “pogrom” in Israel, with a further 10 still missing.

Updating the House of Commons on Monday, Sunak said Hamas’ deadly attacks — which killed more than 1,300 Israelis and prompted fierce retaliation by Israel — had “shocked the world.”

But he invoked U.S. President Joe Biden as he said the U.K. would “as a friend” urge Israel to limit civilian casualties in its response.

“We should call it by its name: it was a pogrom,” Sunak said of Hamas’ attacks, using the term for violent attacks targeting Jews.

As the families of some of those missing from Israel looked on from the public gallery of the House of Commons, Sunak called for the “immediate release of all hostages” taken by Hamas and stressed: “We stand with Israel.”

“The murdered and the missing come from over 30 countries, including the United Kingdom,” the U.K. prime minister added.

He said: “The terrible nature of these attacks means it is proving difficult to identify many of the deceased. But with a heavy heart I can inform the House that at least six British citizens were killed. A further 10 are missing, some of whom are feared to be among the dead.”

‘Rule of law’

In the wake of Hamas’ attack, Israel has put Gaza under siege and launched thousands of retaliatory air strikes, killing at least 2,750 Palestinians.

As Israel readies its full response, Sunak urged it to do so in line with international law. “As a friend, we will continue to call on Israel to take every possible precaution to avoid harming civilians,” he said. “I repeat President Biden’s words: as democracies we are stronger and more secure when we act according to the rule of law.”

And while Sunak said the attacks represented an “existential strike at the very idea of Israel as the home for the Jewish people,” he also sought to address what he called “a moment of great anguish for British Muslim communities,” drawing a sharp distinction between Hamas and the civilian population of Gaza.

The prime minister announced that an extra £10m of aid will be delivered to Palestine to help in the humanitarian effort there. “We must support the Palestinian people because they are victims of Hamas too,” he said.

Parliament returns

Monday’s Commons session offered the first chance for British MPs to debate the unfolding crisis in the Middle East.

Sunak’s Conservatives and the opposition Labour Party have largely sung from the same hymn sheet since Hamas’ attacks on Israel, although there were signs of dissent some some left-leaning Labour MPs who believe leader Keir Starmer is not doing enough to urge restraint from Israel.

Starmer said that it was “crucial” the House of Commons “speaks with one voice,” stressed Israel’s right to “defend herself, to keep its people safe,” and warned that “while Hamas has the capability to carry out attacks on Israeli territory, there can be no safety.”

But he also made a series of direct requests of Israel, saying its response “must be conducted in accordance with international law.” As well as calling for civilians to be protected, he urged “humanitarian access, including food, water, electricity, and medicines” for those inside Gaza.

Signaling discontent, Labour MP Richard Burgon — an ally of the party’s left-wing former leader Jeremy Corbyn — cited warnings from the U.N. and said “horrific acts by Hamas do not justify responding with collective punishment of the Palestinian people.”

This article has been updated with further reporting.