A videoed message from children who say they live in an orphanage in one of the last pockets of rebel resistance in Aleppo has emerged in the final hours of battle for the Syrian city.

Around 30 children from toddlers to around 12 or 13 years of age wearing hats and winter clothing inside are crammed into the camera’s view, standing patiently in rows while a girl in the middle delivers a statement she has clearly committed to memory.

“My name is Jasmine Kaimouz and am 10-years-old. I am with 47 other children. They are like my brothers and sisters,” she says.

“This may be the last time you see or hear me. The planes are launching air strikes. In the name of human rights and child rights we hope they will get us out of Aleppo.

“We cannot go out because we are afraid of the bombs. We hope they can get us out of here. We want to live like the rest of the world. We want peace. We wish to live.”

The footage surfaced on Wednesday afternoon, before a new ceasefire deal to evacuate civilians and fighters from the city was reached.

It is not known how many people remain within the last rebel enclaves but evacuations began on Thursday morning which should take thousands to neighbouring rebel-held Idlib province before nightfall.

The operation was briefly halted after the White Helmets reported that one of their workers had been shot and killed and three others wounded by a pro-government militia sniper as they tried to clear the way for ambulances to pass.

Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Show all 12 1 /12 Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A man crosses a street in Aleppo, December 12, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A vendor sits inside an antique shop in al-Jdeideh neighbourhood, in the Old City of Aleppo, December 12, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A view shows part of Aleppo's historic citadel, overlooking Aleppo city, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A view shows part of Aleppo's historic citadel, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Visitors walk inside Aleppo's Umayyad mosque, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War People walk inside the Khan al-Shounah market, in the Old City of Aleppo, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A man walks past shops in al-Jdeideh neighbourhood, in the Old City of Aleppo, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War People walk along an alley in al-Jdeideh neighbourhood, in the Old City of Aleppo, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Visitors tour Aleppo's historic citadel, Syria December 11, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A general view shows the Old City of Aleppo as seen from Aleppo's historic citadel, Syria December 11, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War People walk near Aleppo's Bab al-Faraj Clock Tower, Syria October 6, 2010 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A man stands inside Aleppo's historic citadel, overlooking Aleppo city, Syria December 11, 2009 Reuters

The opposition-held east of the city has been devastated by an intense Russian-backed bombing campaign since September which has targeted schools, bakeries and medical facilities.

Since supply lines were cut off and siege barricades went up in July, the approximately 250,000 civilians in the area have been pushed to the brink of starvation, aid agencies have warned.

Thousands have died in the fighting for the contested city since 2012.