"Doctors Under Attack" and the Targeting of Gaza's Medics

Doctors Under Attack" is that the circumstances surrounding its release threaten to overshadow the film itself. Initially commissioned by the BBC, the documentary was ultimately dropped due to concerns about impartiality, stemming from another film about Gaza. This decision sparked controversy within the BBC and the wider media, creating the impression that a vital piece of filmmaking had been reduced to a debate about the BBC's purpose.

bombardment, siege, raids by tanks and bulldozers, detention of medical workers, and ultimately, the rendering of hospitals non-functional.

The film argues that this strategy is designed to cripple Gaza for years to come. While buildings can be rebuilt, the loss of trained medical professionals denies Gaza the opportunity to rebuild. The film emphasizes that healthcare workers are protected under international law.

The strength of "Doctors Under Attack" lies in its deliberate pace and the absence of overt manipulation. Instead, it presents a relentless timeline of horrors. The film depicts doctors struggling in hospitals without water or electricity, treating wounds that are already infected. It shows them being targeted, detained, and subjected to torture. There is footage of violence and the suffering of children.

The film focuses on the stories of individual doctors. Dr. Khaled Hamouda recounts the attack on his home that killed his family and the subsequent drone strike on the house where survivors sought refuge. He was then detained and beaten. Dr. Adnan al-Bursh was detained, tortured, and ultimately died in prison. The film includes his final calls to his family. These stories evoke a sense of profound despair.

While other documentaries have addressed the Palestinian territories, "Doctors Under Attack" is the most unflinching. The accounts of the detained doctors, verified by an anonymous Israeli whistleblower, are disturbing. The film details beatings, torture, and mistreatment by Israeli doctors.

The BBC's decision to drop the film was based on concerns about perceived partiality. However, the film that has aired on Channel 4 presents a different perspective. The IDF's perspective is sought throughout the film. The events of October 7, 2023, are shown as graphically as the footage of injured Palestinian children. The filmmakers understand that any hint of bias would undermine their argument. The film is intended to provoke an international reaction.