STORY: Palestinians fear of Israeli threats of expanding military operation to Rafah 
SHOOTING TIME: March 15, 2024
DATELINE: March 16, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:55
LOCATION: RAFAH, Palestine
CATEGORY: MILITARY

SHOTLIST: 
1. various of Rafah
2. STANDUP 1 (English): SANAA KAMAL, Xinhua reporter
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): MAHER DAWOUD, Palestinian resident
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): NASER ABU HARB, Palestinian resident
5. STANDUP 2 (English): SANAA KAMAL, Xinhua reporter

STORYLINE: 

STANDUP 1 (English): SANAA KAMAL, Xinhua reporter
"Despite the continuation of the indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel under American, Egyptian and Qatari brokers, Israel is still keeping its threats that it wound expand its military operation to the Rafah city in the southern part of the coastal enclave, a home to more than 1.5 million people, most of them displaced from their houses in a bid to find some security for themselves and their children in this area.
Locals in Rafah expressed their fears that if Israel implements its threats and expands its military operation to Rafah, it will kill more and more civilians and they will not have any other place that they would flee to it."

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): MAHER DAWOUD, Palestinian resident
"There are 1.5 million people in Rafah, and it is very difficult to evacuate towards the sea, especially since I was displaced to tents in the Al-Mawasi area yesterday, and it is very difficult. The situation cannot be tolerated by anyone, especially since there are patients. I hope they will reach a solution through negotiations because we are people who love life. Pressure must be put on both sides because we are the ones affected, and I hope that the war and death will stop. Unfortunately, I was in Khan Yunis and was forcibly displaced to Rafah, but if Rafah is invaded, I do not know where to go, and this is a tough question."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): NASER ABU HARB, Palestinian resident
"We no longer have any say because we are manipulated and there's no mercy on us. If Israel enters Rafah, there will be many casualties. We wish for a resolution. I will stay here as there is no other place for me. If they invade Rafah, I will die here."

STANDUP 2 (English): SANAA KAMAL, Xinhua reporter
According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, more than 31,000 people were killed (by the Israeli attacks) and more than 73,000 were wounded.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Rafah, Palestine.
(XHTV)