STORY: Israel expands ground operation in Gaza as Palestinian death toll exceeds 8,000
DATELINE: Oct. 30, 2023
LENGTH: 0:02:16
LOCATION: Jerusalem/Ramallah/Cairo
CATEGORY: MILITARY

SHOTLIST:
1. STANDUP 1 (English): WANG ZHUOLUN, Xinhua correspondent in Jerusalem
2. STANDUP 2 (English): OHOOD AL-JAGHOUB, Xinhua reporter in Ramallah
3. STANDUP 3 (English): YANG YIRAN, Xinhua correspondent in Cairo

STORYLINE:

STANDUP 1 (English): WANG ZHUOLUN, Xinhua correspondent in Jerusalem
"Here I'm in Ashdod, a southern Israeli city which always sustained direct hits by rockets fired from the Gaza Strip. On Saturday evening, a rocket landed on this street, damaging some cars and homes. A few hours earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the country is 'heading into the second stage of the war,' reiterating that Israel's targets are clear -- destroying military and governing capabilities of Hamas, and returning the hostages home. The Israeli army has increased the number of ground troops in Gaza."

STANDUP 2 (English): OHOOD AL-JAGHOUB, Xinhua reporter in Ramallah
"As the escalation enters its third week, the death toll in Gaza exceeds 8,000, and over 20,000 people were injured. As heavy and intense Israeli air raids and artillery shelling continued overnight since Friday, while in complete blackout, very limited resources of essential items have been allowed into the besieged territory since the start of this conflict. The WHO is concerned after receiving reports from the Palestinian Red Crescent, saying they received orders for an immediate evacuation of Al Quds hospital in Gaza from the Israeli army, as he assured that it is impossible to evacuate a hospital full of patients without risking their lives, in addition to the lives of tens of thousands of people seeking refuge at the hospital. Violence in the West Bank continues, the Palestinian Ministry of Health announced that four Palestinians were killed by Israeli army ammunition in overnight raids across the West Bank where very heavy clashes emerged between armed Palestinian youths and the Israeli army."

STANDUP 3 (English): YANG YIRAN, Xinhua correspondent in Cairo
"Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian on Sunday said Iran does not want the war in Gaza to 'spread out.' In an interview with U.S. media, the foreign minister also denied Iran's involvement in Hamas' surprise attack on Israel while reiterating its support for the Palestinians. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that 'the world is witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe taking place before our eyes' in Gaza, with over two million people denied the essentials of life and subject to relentless bombardment."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Jerusalem/Ramallah/Cairo.
(XHTV)