BBC Apologizes After Filming Inside Israeli Family's Home Without Consent

Thu Feb 19 2026 19:52:07 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The BBC has reached a settlement with an Israeli family whose home was filmed by a news crew shortly after being damaged in a Hamas attack, shedding light on the ethics of media coverage in crisis situations.

After coming under fire for entering an Israeli family's home without consent following the October 7 Hamas attacks, the BBC has settled with the family for £28,000. The family expressed feelings of intrusion when the BBC crew filmed their belongings while they were still dealing with the aftermath of the violence. This incident raises questions about the responsibilities of news organizations during sensitive times.

The BBC has reached an agreement with an Israeli family who survived the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks after a team of journalists entered their badly damaged home without permission.

A BBC News crew, including International Editor Jeremy Bowen, filmed inside the home of a family on the Gaza border, capturing personal photographs at a time when many of their friends and relatives were still missing. The family expressed their distress over the incident.

Tzeela Horenstein, one of the survivors, shared her anguish saying, It was another intrusion into our lives. We felt that everything that was still under our control had been taken from us. The family received a £28,000 settlement from the BBC.

This event follows the Hamas-led attack that resulted in over 1,200 deaths in southern Israel, escalating tensions in the region.