The documentary film Gaza: Doctors Under Attack has emerged as a stark portrayal of the perils faced by medical professionals in war-torn Gaza. Originally commissioned by the BBC, the film was pulled from production as a result of an uproar over the film’s neutrality. Now, Channel 4 has made the commendable move of stepping in to air that important documentary. It goes beyond the surface to explore the serious accusations that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have intentionally attacked Palestinian medics in Gaza’s medical facilities.
This shocking film does a deep forensic autopsy. It documents incidents in which the IDF has deliberately attacked health workers and their medical facilities in the midst of active hostilities. The documentary’s back end reveals some alarming allegations against the IDF. It illustrates attacks on emergency responders in every single one of Gaza’s 36 hospitals. This adds to already alarming fears for the safety of those who are efforts to save lives through the turmoil.
The controversy surrounding the film escalated after a prior documentary, Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone, elicited discussions about media representation and impartiality in reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Critics argued that both films could influence public perception and international response, leading the BBC to withdraw its support for Gaza: Doctors Under Attack in an effort to maintain a neutral editorial stance.
Of all the painful accounts told in the film, perhaps none is more heartbreaking than that of Dr. Adnan al-Bursh. He met a tragic end after being incarcerated with more than 70 other doctors. Reports claim that he was stripped, tortured, disappeared and interrogated while in detention. The film paints a stark picture of what many doctors encounter as they try to deliver treatment under the thrum of gunfire and grief.
An additional powerful reflection is provided by Dr. Khaled Hamouda, a family physician whose life was abruptly ended. His home was the target of an immediate attack, killing ten of his family members. The documentary captures the aftermath of a drone strike on a building where his family sought refuge, underscoring the devastating impact of warfare on innocent lives. Tragically, Dr. Hamouda later died while in prison, driving home once again the dangerous environment that medical staff live and work in as discussed above in Gaza.
The film additionally shines a light on other sinister allegations against Israeli physicians who tortured Palestinian prisoners. Those reports spurred outrage at the prospect of painful procedures being performed without anesthesia and imposed a very high ethical cost on the treatment of those incarcerated. Israeli physicians reportedly informed Palestinian detainees, “You are a terrorist and you need to die.” This pattern of behavior reflects an outrageous lack of concern for basic medical morals.
Through its graphic and unsettling narratives, Gaza: Doctors Under Attack compels viewers to confront the harsh realities faced by healthcare workers in conflict zones. The documentary illustrates the important role medical professionals play in being first responders. It shows the ways in which they are victims of systemic violence in these areas.
Incredibly important, global attention is now focused on the humanitarian nightmare being created in Gaza. While not an easy watch, this documentary serves as a poignant reminder to the hellish conditions that those who dedicate their lives to saving others are subjected to. The continued violence impacts all civilians’ safety and security. Beyond that, it poses a pretty heavy threat to the key infrastructure needed to deliver any sort of medical care.