Aussie reporter scrambles to ground amid 'huge rocket attack' near Gaza border
Extraordinary footage captured the horrifying moment the reporter collapsed to the ground to shelter.
Extraordinary footage has captured the moment an Australian journalist reporting on the escalating Israel-Palestinian conflict from the ground was sent flying for cover mid-cross, as multiple missile strikes blast overhead during "a huge rocket attack".
The ABC's European Correspondent Nick Dole was providing an update to audiences while filming in Ashkelon, roughly 12 kilometres from the Gaza border, when the intense assault occurred.
Several loud bangs can be heard before Dole, alongside a camera man and another two unknown crew members, quickly collapse to the ground, sheltering behind a vehicle for cover.
"We had just got out of the car when we saw another surprise attack from Hamas," Dole reveals of the incident during a televised cross.
'Huge rocket attack' sends crews flying
Terrifying footage shows the group lying on the side of a road in the middle of the street reduced almost to rubble as dozens of blasts can be heard in the background, with rockets seen darting across the city at incredible speed.
"That was a huge rocket attack, we saw a massive volley of rockets come over from Gaza," Dole says as he continues to shelter.
"Those bangs you can hear now, thats the Iron Dome, that's shooting most of them from the sky.
"This is obviously a strategy of Hamas: every moment that Israelis here think that the threat level is gone they launch another huge volley of rockets."
Dole went on to explain the crew were in Ashkelon as it was the location some of the survivors had been taken to for treatment following the weekend's attacks.
Conflict continues to worsen
So far, since Palestinian forces launched the largest assault against Israel in 50 years, both sides have suffered significant fatalities. It's believed about 900 people, including 73 soldiers, have been killed in Israel, while almost 700 have been killed in Gaza.
The Israeli military said yesterday it had retaken control of all communities around Gaza since Hamas launched the unprecedented strike early on Saturday (local time).
A further 3,700 others have been wounded as a result of Israel’s retaliatory airstrikes on the Gaza strip, according to the enclave’s Health Ministry.
Thousands upon thousands remain misplaced, and over 100 Israelis have been taken hostage by Hamas.
In Australia, politicians, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, have condemned the attack from Hamas, and warned Aussies against pro-Palestinian protests.
Read more about the Israel-Palestine conflict
Israel-Hamas conflict leaves 1,500 dead, including 11 U.S. citizens: Full coverage
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