Anderson Cooper Struggles to Speak After Israeli Woman Makes Harrowing Plea For Kidnapped Family

In a stark reminder that covering tragedy can take its own emotional toll, CNN’s Anderson Cooper became visibly choked up on camera while reporting on the Hamas terrorist attacks that rocked Israel over the weekend.

After airing an interview with a distraught woman, Yifat Zailer, whose cousin’s family — including an infant and a three-year-old — was kidnapped by Hamas, Cooper was back on camera but silent for a moment. He then appeared to look down and off-camera for a moment before throwing to correspondent Hadas Gold. When he finally did speak, his voice was audibly shaky.

Cooper and Gold spoke about the dire situation that has cost 900 Israeli lives after a surprise attack by Hamas over the weekend. Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to speak, and Cooper and Gold cut away when he began speaking.

The footage from Israel has been harrowing and while journalists know their job is not to provide commentary, it’s not unheard of for them to react to what they’re seeing. CNN’s Clarissa Ward was forced to hit the ground during an attack while live on camera, a situation that left her with her face in the dirt and cursing out of fear. Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst was also unable to control his emotions while reporting on the identification of dead children.

Watch the video above via CNN.