It is a gallery of unutterable heartbreak – the child captives of Hamas terrorists photographed in happier times before horror struck their families.

These babies, toddlers and teenagers are among more than 150 Israelis taken hostage after Hamas launched its murderous onslaught last weekend. 

Human rights groups are busy trying to track the kidnappings as evidence of war crimes, but for their distraught families there is only a harrowing wait for news.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas was responsible for their care and well-being, and that Israel would ‘settle the score with anyone who harms them’.

Meanwhile, Hamas has claimed that it has hidden the hostages in Gaza but has threatened to kill them if civilian homes are bombed by the Israelis.