STORY: Gaza's "red gold" loses luster as conflict ravages date harvest   
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: Sept. 28, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:54
LOCATION: GAZA, Palestine
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Palestinian farmers harvesting in Deir al-Balah
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): MUSA BARAKA, Palestinian farmer
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): RAMI NAZMI, Palestinian farmer

STORYLINE:

In Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, Musa Baraka surveys his orchard with a mix of resignation and despair.

The 55-year-old farmer's land, once teeming with over 100 thriving palm trees, now tells a story of far-reaching consequences of war.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): MUSA BARAKA, Palestinian farmer
"We have the best types of palm trees in Deir al-Balah. As for the crop, this year was worse than last year when we had electricity and solar and we used water motors so the dates were efficiently harvested."

The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which erupted on Oct. 7, 2023, has cast a long shadow over Gaza's agricultural sector. The date harvest, typically a cornerstone of the enclave's economy, has been particularly hard hit.
   
Farmers face a multitude of challenges. The Israeli military operation has cut off electricity and fuel supplies, crippling the irrigation systems vital for date cultivation. Many growers even find themselves unable to access their lands due to safety concerns.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): RAMI NAZMI, Palestinian farmer
"As a farmer, I want the war to stop because everyone is affected, whether a farmer, a woman, a child or an old man. Everyone here is suffering and the majority do not have a home to shelter them."

The date harvest, known locally as "red gold," traditionally runs from mid-September to mid-November.

It's not just an economic lifeline but a cultural touchstone.
   
However, as the conflict grinds on, the future of Gaza's date industry hangs in the balance.

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