BBC team duck for cover as missile razes building next to Gaza broadcast base

BBC journalists have shared footage of a devastating missile strike just a few hundred yards away from their reporting position in Gaza.

The broadcast team can be seen ducking for cover as a deafening explosion rings out near their base in the Palestinian territory, which has been the focus of Israeli retaliation in the wake of a surprise attack by Hamas militants this weekend.

It follows a flash of light and sounds consistent with a missile strike on a building seen in the distance, which then quickly collapses and is enveloped by huge plumes of smoke.

The reporters, some of whom managed to film the moment on their phones, bravely exit their cover and begin capturing the scene on professional camera equipment.

The building is seen rapidly collapsing in a vast plume of smoke

While Israel has not directly claimed responsibility for the strike, the incident took place near areas known to be targeted by the IDF.

Press teams are typically given clearance to report safely from certain positions, though the BBC did not immediately confirm whether it believed the area to be secure.

The launch of Hamas’ offensive on Saturday saw thousands of rockets fired at Israel while fighters breached the border, killing hundreds of civilians, dozens of soldiers and taking at least 100 Israelis captive.

Israel responded by launching air strikes, which it claims have targeted militant positions, killing more than 400 people.

A number of other journalists have been caught in terrifying situations near the front line.

Al Jazeera’s Youmna El Sayed was reporting live on ‘barrages of rockets’ entering Gaza when a fireball erupted behind her, forcing her to take cover as she screamed.

The BBC’s Rushdi Abu Alouf was speaking to presenter Maryam Moshiri at night when an explosion interrupted him.

Israel has retaliated by pounding targets in Gaza which it claims are militant positions (Picture: AFP)

The blast appeared to have knocked his earpiece slightly out of place and left Mr Alouf momentarily stunned, confirming that it sounded ‘quite close’.

Ms Moshiri asked if Mr Alouf could hear her, adding: ‘Are you okay to stay where you are or would like to move?’

He appeared to confirm that he could hear her before the broadcast cuts out.

Israel has called up the largest draft of reservists in its history at 300,000, deploying around a third to territories near the Gaza strip.

There has been no move toward a ground offensive in Gaza yet, although gun battles continue between Hamas and IDF in three areas in Israel.

The UN Security Council failed to agree a statement on the war after more than 90 minutes of talks.

It’s thought the 15 member states are divided between calls from the US to condemn Hamas and Russian demands to include other matters.

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