This is the heartwarming moment an Italian plane carried 45 people out of Gaza for medical care.

A special Italian Air Force flight transported children and their carers from Gaza to Italy for urgent medical treatment.

Footage shows volunteers carrying toddlers toward the aircraft. They will now receive care in some of the country's top hospitals.

Italy's Minister of Defence, Guido Crosetto, said: 'Italy continues to demonstrate its humanitarian commitment with actions.

'Once again, we are doing everything we can to ease the suffering of Gaza's civilian population with concrete and timely support. Every child we bring to Italy is a sign of hope, a commitment to life and the future.'

He also expressed gratitude to Defence personnel, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Civil Protection, and health workers for making the complex operation possible.

Israel has blitzed the Gaza Strip in retaliation for an attack by the governing party Hamas on a Jewish music festival on 7 October last year.

However, the situation - which Israel claims is self-defence - has attracted criticism from around the world.