Scared and malnourished - footage from Gaza shows plight of children and aftermath of Israeli strike

In the war-torn region of Gaza, the situation for children has become increasingly dire, as captured by a BBC cameraman who documented the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike on a hospital. The chaos that ensued from the blast was heart-wrenching, with a man seen comforting two terrified children amidst the turmoil. The ongoing conflict has led to a tragic rise in the number of casualties, with many individuals suffering from injuries and starvation. It is a heavy burden to witness such human suffering, yet the courageous cameramen working for the BBC remain committed to revealing the harsh realities of life in Gaza. One of their own was injured during the attack, but fortunately, he escaped with minor wounds. The Israeli military claimed that the strike targeted a location where a Hamas leader was allegedly hiding, but Hamas has denied these accusations. At the time of the bombing, families were gathered at the hospital, anxiously waiting for their sick children to receive treatment or to return from medical care abroad. One father, who was injured in the attack, has since been released from the hospital. Disturbing images from the scene show our journalist attempting to console the man's frightened children, highlighting the importance of compassion in times of crisis. This report contains distressing visuals that may be difficult to view. Much of our colleague's recent work has focused on the plight of malnourished children in Gaza. Just before the bombing, he sent a message expressing gratitude for the opportunity to shed light on these critical stories. He stated, 'Siwar's story broke something in all of us, and working on it was one of the most painful things I've ever had to do. But I knew her face, her name, and her story had to be seen – had to be heard. ' Siwar is a five-month-old baby suffering from severe malnutrition. Her large, expressive brown eyes stand out against her frail body, and they follow her mother, Najwa, closely. On Tuesday, Najwa sent a heartfelt video message from her room at Nasser Hospital, expressing her deep love for her child. She said, 'I wish she could receive the treatment she needs, to recover fully, and return as she was before – to play like other children, to grow and gain weight like other children. She is my first child, and as her mother, I'm deeply heartbroken for her. ' Siwar's condition is critical; she cannot tolerate regular formula milk due to her malnutrition. A poignant image shows her crying and gazing at the camera, a symbol of her suffering. In recent days, Siwar has developed a skin infection, with sores appearing on her hands. She also suffers from a severe gastrointestinal issue, making it difficult for her to retain nourishment. Her body is battling the effects of deprivation caused by the Israeli blockade. The sound of her weak cry is a desperate plea for survival. Siwar can only consume a special milk formula due to her allergies. On a more hopeful note, there was some positive news on Tuesday. Medical staff at a nearby Jordanian Field Hospital managed to locate some of the special formula she requires. Although it is a small supply, they plan to send more in the coming days. Additionally, there are plans to evacuate sick children to the United Arab Emirates and Jordan for further treatment. In Amman, several families from Gaza are already receiving care for their children who are suffering from illnesses or injuries sustained during the conflict. These evacuations are coordinated with the Israeli authorities, who conduct background checks on the parents accompanying their children. In January, we filmed the arrival of a young boy named Abdelrahman and his mother, Asma. Abdelrahman lost his leg in an Israeli bombing, and they have been living in a safe environment with access to food and shelter for the past four months. During our visit on Tuesday, Asma reached out to her children and their grandmother in Gaza. The children waved and blew kisses to their mother, a touching moment amidst the chaos. Asma expressed her gratitude for her mother, saying, 'I wish I can return back to find them safe and in good health. ' Overcome with emotion, she fell silent. It is through the eyes of a mother witnessing her children trapped and frightened from afar that one can begin to understand the longing to return to Gaza, despite the dangers. This story serves as a powerful reminder of the love and resilience of parents in the face of unimaginable hardship.