Storyline: In Gaza, where a two-year conflict has reduced neighborhoods to rubble, a veteran firefighter remains on the frontlines despite being displaced himself. Raed Ashour, who has spent 30 years battling fires and saving lives, now searches the wreckage for survivors, even as his own home lies in ruins. In the bombed-out ruins of southern Gaza, Ashour and his team dig for survivors with their bare hands. For the past two years, he has rushed to countless rescue scenes, often without proper equipment. Ashour said that over the past two years, equipment support has been scarce. Fire trucks are outdated, gear destroyed in repeated bombings, and rescue teams often risk attacks as they dig through rubble with bare hands and basic tools, searching for any sign of life. "We have been seeking help just to get equipment support, especially emergency medical supplies. However, the Gaza Strip, particularly the civil defense department, has still not received any emergency or rescue equipment. Over the past two years, we have had to rely almost entirely on basic tools, working by hand and even digging with our bare hands," said Ashour. Ashour and his team are always walking a tightrope between life and death, as even civil defense vehicles often become targets for military attacks. "Every time I leave for a mission, I say goodbye to my wife, knowing that I could be attacked and lose my life at any moment. We've been targeted before but managed to escape unharmed. I also say goodbye to my children, who see the dangers we face every day. We can never be sure we'll come back safely," he said. Each day, these people face the grim reality of attacks and the constant threat of death, leaving deep scars on their minds and bodies. In November 2023, during a rescue mission, Ashour found himself paralyzed with grief as he witnessed his brother's home being shattered by a bomb. The pain of that moment still lingers, a sorrow that won't fade. "I was in shock when I realized that it was my brother Moussa's house that had been destroyed. At that moment, around 30 people were trapped under the rubble. The explosion created an 18-meter-deep crater in the ground. The missile hit my brother directly, and in an instant, he was gone - his body turned to dust, with not even a trace left behind. As I watched the entire building collapse, burying everyone beneath it, I fell to my knees, unable to move. My spirit shattered, leaving me feeling completely helpless," said Ashour. Beyond the dangers of rescue work, Ashour, like many in Gaza, is dealing with family displacement, food shortages, and a lack of clean water. Yet, he remains dedicated to his mission. "Honestly, things are really tough right now. Like everyone else, I'm dealing with shortages of water, firewood, food, and basic supplies. Despite that, I don't seek any rewards. I just want to do my part and give everything I can. I truly believe that we all have a purpose in life, and it's our responsibility to serve the people and fulfill our duties," he said. Shotlist: Khan Younis, Gaza Strip - Recent: 1. Various of destroyed buildings, rubble, rescuers searching for survivors 2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Raed Ashour, firefighter: "We have been seeking help just to get equipment support, especially emergency medical supplies. However, the Gaza Strip, particularly the civil defense department, has still not received any emergency or rescue equipment. Over the past two years, we have had to rely almost entirely on basic tools, working by hand and even digging with our bare hands." 3. Various of Ashour working 4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Raed Ashour, firefighter: "Every time I leave for a mission, I say goodbye to my wife, knowing that I could be attacked and lose my life at any moment. We've been targeted before but managed to escape unharmed. I also say goodbye to my children, who see the dangers we face every day. We can never be sure we'll come back safely." 5. Various of rescuers searching for survivors 6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Raed Ashour, firefighter (starting with shot 5/partially overlaid with shot 7): "I was in shock when I realized that it was my brother Moussa's house that had been destroyed. At that moment, around 30 people were trapped under the rubble. The explosion created an 18-meter-deep crater in the ground. The missile hit my brother directly, and in an instant, he was gone - his body turned to dust, with not even a trace left behind. As I watched the entire building collapse, burying everyone beneath it, I fell to my knees, unable to move. My spirit shattered, leaving me feeling completely helpless." [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 7. Excavator, rubble [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 8. Various of trucks, firefighters working 9. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Raed Ashour, firefighter (starting with shot 8/ending with shot 10): "Honestly, things are really tough right now. Like everyone else, I'm dealing with shortages of water, firewood, food, and basic supplies. Despite that, I don't seek any rewards. I just want to do my part and give everything I can. I truly believe that we all have a purpose in life, and it's our responsibility to serve the people and fulfill our duties." 10. Various of trucks, Ashour wearing hat, truck leaving. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]