German diplomacy confirmed on Wednesday that the victims of the unprecedented attack by Hamas against Israel since October 7 included a single digit number of German citizens.

The federal government believes that fewer than ten Germans “have fallen victim to Hamas terrorism,” a foreign ministry spokesman said in Berlin, declining to elaborate.

He clarified that the German Foreign Ministry is in close contact with the Israeli authorities and the government confirms deaths only after the relatives of the victims have been informed.

He added that a low three-digit number of German nationals remain in the Gaza Strip and on the ministry’s crisis response list.

He pointed out that there is constant contact with the country’s partners in the region to make it possible for those who wish to leave.

Germans are also believed to be among the nearly 200 people being held hostage in the Gaza Strip, according to the spokesman. Berlin is making efforts to secure their release.

Hamas’ attack on Israel claimed the lives of 1,400 people, mostly civilians. It is characterized as the worst state-funded disaster.

Four citizens of Austriawho also held Israeli citizenship, were killed in a Hamas attack on Israeli territory on October 7, the foreign ministry in Vienna announced Wednesday.

Another Austrian remains missing.

“It is with great sadness that we have to announce that the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas has claimed the life of another dual citizen of Austria and Israel,” said the Austrian embassy, ​​which had confirmed three deaths last week.