Religious leaders in Berkshire have spoken out about how the escalated conflict has affected the local community. 

Rabbi Jonathan Romain from Maidenhead Synagogue, the largest Jewish place of worship in Berkshire, has opened up about the painful situation amid the current conflict between Israel and the military group Hamas.

The indiscriminate attacks on both sides since October 7 have resulted in civilian deaths in Israel and Gaza, a strip of land home to 2.3 million Palestinians which has been unlawfully blockaded by Israel for the past 16 years, the UN said.

Rabbi Jonathan said: "People are very very worried - both about the overall situation in the Middle East and the turmoil this is now causing and the violence.

"But of course on an individual level, they are very worried about the family or friends that they know."

He opened up about the many loved ones that have been caught up in the conflict.

One member of the Maidenhead Jewish community was due to travel to Israel for a wedding, but due to the conflict and the groom being called up for military service the wedding was cancelled. The family are hopeful that the wedding will go ahead at a later date.

Meanwhile, the cousin of a 70-year-old woman living in the Kibbutz has been left in tears after she went missing.

Rabbi Jonathan added that some relatives of locals have been "gunned down" by the Gaza border.

"Everyone has a story to tell and everyone is worried both about what has happened and what is yet to happen," he added.

A handful of the Berkshire Jewish Community visiting family have been trapped in the crossfire as the conflict continues.

He added the "savagery", "brutality" and "random killing of civilians" is unprecedented.

Touching on the impact seen in Britain, he mentioned acts of antisemitism in London and Manchester where incidents have reportedly quadrupled.

"I am pleased to say in Berkshire we have worked very hard and have good interfaith relations and one of the first things I did when Hamas attacked was ring up the local Imam and Christian leaders.

"I am very adamant in my own mind that this is a political battle, it is not a religious war and there is absolutely no reason for Muslims and Jews and people of other faiths to not live harmoniously together here.

"We do not want to import the conflict of the Middle East over to Berkshire."

When asked what he would say to locals, Rabbi Jonathan added: "There is not a lot here in England we can do other than to try and support some of the victims by giving to aid charities and emergency charities."

Sajid Khan the General Secretary of Islamic Trust Maidenhead confirmed relations are still good between local religious groups and said it is not right how both sides overseas are fighting fire with fire.

"The local people are very very upset - innocent people are dying and everyone is very shocked.

"People have been backed into a corner of Gaza and the West Bank and they have nowhere to go to - they are trapped."

He has encouraged the community to pray and do what they feel is best - whether that be raising it with the media or educating others.

The mosque has also launched a fundraiser to provide supplies such as food to those in need.

Rabbi Zvi Solomons of the Jewish Community of Berkshire based in Reading added: "Obviously, we ideally want peace and it hurts every time this happens, it has happened so many times.

"There is no one in my community who does not have relatives out in Israel.

"We must not let what is happening in Israel destroy community relations in England."

He added that the local police force has been "very helpful" amid the tensions and has been increasing its surveillance of properties associated with the Jewish community - while Reading Synagogue also ups its own security.

In Slough, a protest by Berkshire's Palestine group is to take place at Salt Hill Park at 5pm on Friday, October 13 entitled "End the occupation. End the violence."

Meanwhile, the death toll is rising in Israel after attacks by the armed terrorist group Hamas, and in Gaza after bombardment by the Israeli army.

More than 260,000 people in Gaza have had to leave their homes since October 7, according to the UN.

The UN chief Antonio Guterres has called for urgent humanitarian access for crucial supplies such as fuel, food and water to blocked off Gaza.