STORY: Israel redeploys troops for new operations, Gaza ceasefire distant
SHOOTING TIME: April 1-7
DATELINE: April 8, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:50
LOCATION: GAZA, Palestine
CATEGORY: MILITARY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip
2. STANDUP 1 (English): HUMMAM SHEIKH ALI, Xinhua reporter
3. STANDUP 2 (English): SANAA KAMAL, Xinhua reporter
4. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): SAMIHA, Palestinian resident
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): HANI AL-SHAER, Palestinian resident

STORYLINE:

As the Israel-Hamas conflict enters its seventh month, Israel has recently made substantial shifts to its military deployment, signaling intentions to wage new military operations.

Triggered by the Israel-Hamas conflict since Oct. 7, 2023, deadly confrontations have erupted in multiple countries across the Middle East.

Analysts have suggested that the conflicts in the Middle East are unlikely to be resolved in the short term due to the deep-rooted divisions between Israel and regional powers such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.

Additionally, countries like the United States have not been effective in facilitating a ceasefire, which further exacerbates the situation.

Last week, Israel killed seven Iranians in a missile strike on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in the Syrian capital Damascus, igniting a fresh round of escalation in the regional situation.

STANDUP 1 (English): HUMMAM SHEIKH ALI, Xinhua reporter
"We are now in front of the Iranian embassy in the capital Damascus. Today (April 1) afternoon, an Israeli missile attack hit the consulate part of the embassy, destroying it completely."

Following the attack, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed that the country would take countermeasures and inflict "a regret-inducing punishment" on Israel for its "criminal" attack.
   
The spillover of the Israel-Hamas conflict is reverberating throughout the region, resulting in significant humanitarian crises and substantial economic losses.

STANDUP 2 (English): SANAA KAMAL, Xinhua reporter
"Until now, more than 33,000 Palestinian people were killed by the ongoing Israeli airstrikes. Most of them were children and women, according to official data issued by the Palestinian Health Ministry here in Gaza.
Meanwhile, more than 80 percent of the Palestinian facilities and buildings in the whole coastal enclave were completely or partially destroyed by the Israeli army."

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): SAMIHA, Palestinian resident
"We have not seen such war in our life. We lost our hope and power. I lost my husband and sons in this war, they are no longer with me."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): HANI AL-SHAER, Palestinian resident
"Unfortunately, the situation is very difficult in Gaza during Ramadan because of the war. I hope that we can live normally soon once the war ends in Gaza and the people return to their houses."

UN Food and Agriculture Organization said in a recent report that as of Feb. 7, the entire 2.2 million population in Gaza is facing high levels of acute food insecurity.

The international community has made diverse efforts to help restore peace in the region.

After being repeatedly vetoed by the U.S., the UN Security Council finally passed a resolution in late March, demanding an immediate ceasefire in the coastal enclave.

On Sunday, delegates from Hamas and Israel met in Cairo to discuss a ceasefire and a hostage-for-prisoner swap deal with mediation from countries including Egypt and Qatar.

Despite ongoing diplomatic endeavors, analysts say the path to peace in the region remains fraught with challenges.

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