The children suffering under Israel’s onslaught - BBC News

A senior United Nations official has said the human tragedy unfolding in Gaza is “unbearable”. Philippe Lazzarini told the UN Security Council that nearly 70% of those being killed by the Israeli bombardment in Gaza are women and children.

Israel launched its attack on Gaza after Hamas gunmen raided southern Israel in October, killing 1,400 people and taking more than 200 hostage. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas, which many western governments describe as a terrorist organisation.

The United Nations has heard demands for a ceasefire from many nations who saymass killing of civilians in Gaza is unacceptable. The head of the UN has said that Israel is breaching international law.

The charity Save the Children reports that nearly 3,200 children had been killed by Israeli attacks in Gaza in just three weeks.

Fergal Keane reports for News at Ten o