It’s sometimes easy to forget the power of photographs. They can cause great pain and distress, but they can also give hope, and support.

The BBC correspondent based in Gaza, Alan Johnston disappeared over two weeks ago. Since then, Mark Thompson (BBC Director General) has spoken to staff twice. This week, a link up was made between Television Centre in West London, and Simon Wilson (BBC Jerusalem Bureau Editor) in Gaza.

Pictured here, (from l to r) are Mark Byford - Deputy Director General of the BBC ,Helen Boaden- Director of BBC News , Mark Thompson - Director General of the BBC, Tamer Almisshal a producer who worked with Alan in Gaza, and Jon Williams – BBC Foreign Editor .

Hopefully this shot will show Alan’s family that in addition to the huge numbers of staff who have attended the two vigils held in TVC (as well as at other BBC offices), the very top of the organisation is committed to his safety - who knows, maybe he will see this image, and it will give him the hope required to make it through this terrible time.