STORY: Market prices soaring in Rafah as more displaced Gazans flock in
SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 7/8, 2023
DATELINE: Dec. 9, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:10
LOCATION: Gaza
CATEGORY: POLITICS/SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Rafah city
2. STANDUP (English): SANAA KAMAL, Xinhua reporter
3. various of Rafah city
4. various of the Maghazi refugee camp
5. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): Gaza resident
6. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MOHAMED SABBAH, Gaza resident
7. various of the Maghazi refugee camp

STORYLINE:

STANDUP (English): SANAA KAMAL, Xinhua reporter
"Here we are standing in a public market that is crowded with customers. Most of them were displaced from their areas in Gaza and the northern parts of the coastal enclave and came here. We can find here in this market vegetables, fruits and meat, but unfortunately, the high prices in this market prevented them from buying the basic needs for their families. Amid the ongoing conflict between Hamas and the Israeli army, the locals expressed their fears that they will not be able to find anything of food for their families."

Since the Israeli army started its ground operation in Khan Younis city, Rafah city has become the last refuge for many displaced people.

As more and more people flock to Rafah, the shelters available now cannot meet the surging demand.

It's estimated that about 1.9 mln people in Gaza, or around 85 pct of the population, have become internally displaced.

The Maghazi refugee camp was bombed on Dec. 7. Reports say at least 15 people were killed.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): Gaza resident
"The situation here is catastrophic. About 70 or 80 people were inside the building, including displaced people. We only found 16 of them, and the others are all under the rubble and we cannot help them. All of the victims are civilians, including children who do not have weapons.
These are inhumane and unjust acts. What do we do in this situation? Where can we go? We will remain in our homes and will not leave them, even if we are forced to live on top of the rubble."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MOHAMED SABBAH, Gaza resident
"Many people died here. Last night, they pulled the bodies of two girls out of the rubble."

According to the UN, 17,000+ Palestinians have reportedly been killed since the start of Israel's military operations, including 4,000+ women and 7,000+ children.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Gaza.
(XHTV)