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Two men fatally injured in an assault on a synagogue in Manchester have been named by law enforcement as Adrian Daulby, 53, and 66-year-old Melvin Cravitz.

Three more people remain in hospital with critical wounds after the assailant drove a vehicle into individuals before stabbing others on the morning of the incident.

The assault, which police have said was a act of terrorism, came on Judaism's holiest day, the most sacred occasion in the Jewish religious calendar.

The assailant, who was killed by police at the location, was a thirty-five-year-old British citizen of Syrian heritage who was not previously known to counter-terrorism authorities, as stated by government sources.

Official Statements

"Our hearts are broken," the UK's Chief Rabbi declared.

During a conversation on a national radio program, he said: "What transpired yesterday was a terrible shock to us, something which actually we were fearing might happen because of the build up."

The attack was not only "an extremely difficult period" for Jews in Britain "but for everyone in our country," he emphasized.

Government Response

"Our obligation is to guarantee our Jewish community, our people can go about their lives with security and assurance," the Home Secretary announced.

"We cannot allow Jewish people in our country to feel like they have to live a reduced Jewish identity, that they cannot pursue their activities and observe their religion and attend their religious centers in without fear," she continued.

The assailant was not recognized to terrorism investigators, she told media outlets, and it was "not yet possible" to say if there was a organized group behind the attack.

Police Inquiry

The police investigation was "moving forward quickly" and there was an enhanced security deployment at religious institutions across the UK.

"Authorities allocate protective measures," the minister said, adding: "We must evaluate what additional measures we can implement to deal with rising antisemitism."

Local authorities announced they were assisting the relatives of the two deceased individuals.

"Our heartfelt condolences are with Mr Daulby and Mr Cravitz's loved ones at this profoundly challenging moment," law enforcement leadership expressed.

He indicated that designated family representatives were in communication with families and would maintain assistance through the investigative procedures.

"While protocols must be followed which need compliance, we promise to be considerate of community customs and concerns and to ensuring that the victims and their families' preferences are honored," he said, noting that the two men were from the Manchester community.

Post-mortems are taking place on the following day, as confirmed by government statements.