STORY: Palestinian student strums songs of hope to soothe broken people in Gaza
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: June 18, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:46
LOCATION: GAZA, Palestine
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Rahaf Naser playing the guitar and singing
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): RAHAF NASER, Palestinian student
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): RAHAF NASER, Palestinian student
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): RAHAF NASER, Palestinian student

STORYLINE:

Rahaf Naser, 19, moves from one place to another every day, playing guitar and singing to comfort her fellow townsfolk.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): RAHAF NASER, Palestinian student
"I was displaced from my home in the north of the Gaza Strip, to here, to the south. We were displaced because of the continuous bombing around us. So we came here in the first week of the war."

Naser then came up with music therapy to help the long-suffering people deal with the bleak reality.

But it was not easy as she left behind all musical instruments when fleeing with her family.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): RAHAF NASER, Palestinian student
"My family (has) six (members). I came here without anything. We couldn't bring anything with us. I left all my musical instruments there."
   
Not frustrated, nevertheless, Naser got a guitar from her friend's father as a gift.

Naser started to play the guitar between tents for the displaced and in the neighborhoods destroyed by Israeli attacks.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): RAHAF NASER, Palestinian student
"Before Oct. 7, 2023, I was filled with joy and happiness. I went to an association to improve my skills in music. They taught me how to play piano and oud. By the guitar, I teach myself how to play it."

Naser decided to publish short videos of playing music and singing on social media for the largest possible audience.
   
She believes such videos will show the world how the Palestinians in Gaza are looking forward to peace and a normal life.

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