A vigil has now started for an Oxford Brookes Gaza Scholar in intensive care after losing six members of his family in an Israeli bombardment.

Hassan Al Hallaq is being treated for serious injuries following the attack on Saturday which killed his wife Samar , who was eight months’ pregnant, and their sons Qinan, aged six, and Saji, four.

A vigil has started at Carfax Tower in the city centre to show support for Mr Al Hallaq and to pay tribute to his wife and children.

Mr Al-Hallaq’s sister Hani Al Hallaq and her husband Hala Al Hallaq were also killed in the explosion at their home in Al-Rimal, in the centre of the Palestinian territory of Gaza.

Mr Al Hallaq studied for a Master’s degree in e-business at Oxford Brookes University as a Gaza Scholar between September 2012 and September last year after graduating with a degree in computer engineering from the Islamic University in Gaza.

Over 500 Palestinians and 20 Israelis are estimated to have died so far in the latest conflict between Palestine and Israel.