Israel has told the Indian authorities it is ready to provide a wide range of assistance in the battle to end the bloody hostage crisis in Mumbai, but so far officials say their offer has been ”politely turned down”.

The crisis sparked acute concern in Israel, after it emerged that one of the main targets of the attackers was an ultra-Orthodox Jewish centre in the city. According to the Israeli foreign ministry, at least six Israelis were still held hostage inside Mumbai’s Chabad House on Friday afternoon.