Israel-Hamas conflict two months on

Thursday marks two months since Palestinian Islamist group Hamas carried out a surprise attack on Israel. The move prompted Israel to launch a military operation in the Gaza Strip, which is governed by Hamas and serves as its base. The Palestinian staff at NHK's Gaza City office says the scale of the fighting is unprecedented.

NHK cameraman Salam Abutahoun has been filming the harsh reality of Gaza civilians caught in the conflict.

NHK cameraman Salam Abutahoun has been filming Israeli-Palestinian clashes for over 15 years.

Born and raised in the Gaza Strip, Salam has been filming clashes with Israel for more than 15 years with the aim of conveying Gaza's reality to the world.

On October 7, he shot footage of a building collapsing near his office following an Israeli air strike made in response to Hamas' attack.

NHK cameraman Salam Abutahoun filmed Israel's October 7 response to Hamas' attack the same day.

Salam says the scale of the current conflict is unparalleled.

"As a journalist and cameraman, I've covered various battles. But all the suffering, damage and casualties I have seen in the past would add up to less than half of what I've seen this time," he says.

Covering the conflict means he spends his days in danger.

In October, Salam heard that an attack would be carried out near his home in Gaza City. He called his wife and learned that she and their three children were safe. They then reunited for the first time in days and he decided to evacuate to Rafah in the south.

NHK cameraman Salam Abutahoun hugs his wife and three children after reuniting with them.

Salam continues reporting from Rafah on the conflict and its impact on civilians. He has filmed people lining up for food, collapsed buildings, crying mothers and injured children being rushed away in ambulances.

Severe fuel shortage

Gaza is also facing a critical fuel shortage. Salam filmed people in November collecting wood debris to make fires. He and his colleague are feeling the energy pinch as well. They sometimes have to siphon gas from their cars to run a generator so they can charge their phones and other equipment.

"Life in Rafah is very difficult. There's an extreme shortage of supplies and many things are unavailable," says Salam.

Children suffer the most

Evacuee life has greatly impacted his family.

They are staying at an acquaintance's house. Because they had to suddenly evacuate they only brought a few belongings. They survive on distributed food.

His second daughter, who just turned one, recently began suffering from fevers, rashes and a persistent cough.

Prolonged evacuation has impacted the health of Salam's one-year-old daughter.

The sound of Israeli military's drones can be heard day and night. Salam says his kids are suffering from anxiety due to their constant exposure to the horrors of war, which even adults find difficult to bear.

Salam's older daughter says, "I miss everything, my house, study, everything. When will this war end?"

The conflict in Gaza is taking a toll on NHK cameraman Salam Abutahoun and his family.

Salam says, "I felt great despair when the recent truce ended on December 1. I am once again filming new catastrophes every day. What we want is a ceasefire, the end of the war."

Watch video 4:48