Watch Death in Gaza

Death in Gaza is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary from 2004, directed and produced by James Miller and written and presented by Saira Shah. The film focuses on the situation in the Gaza Strip during the second intifada, a period of intense conflict between Israel and Palestine that lasted from 2000 to 2005. The documentary follows the lives of several Palestinian children, including a 12-year-old boy named Ahmed and a group of young boys who work collecting metal scraps at a garbage dump. Through their stories, the film shows the devastating impact that the conflict has had on the children of Gaza, who have grown up amidst constant violence and fear.

Miller's camera captures the everyday realities of life in the Gaza Strip, including the frequent curfews, checkpoints, and raids by Israeli soldiers. The film also highlights the role of Palestinian militant groups like Hamas, who use the children as propaganda and recruit them as fighters.

One of the most powerful moments in the film comes when Miller and Shah accompany a group of Palestinian medics as they try to retrieve the body of a young girl who was shot by Israeli soldiers. The medics are forced to risk their own lives to get to the body, which is lying in a dangerous no-man's land between Israeli and Palestinian territory. The scene is a shocking reminder of the brutal reality of the conflict and the toll it takes on civilian life.

Throughout the film, Miller and Shah also interview a number of Palestinian militants, including a leader of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, who explain their motivations for fighting against Israel. The interviews provide a fascinating insight into the minds of those who are willing to risk their lives for the cause of Palestinian independence.

Despite the film's focus on the Palestinian perspective, Miller and Shah do not shy away from criticising the actions of Palestinians who use violence against Israeli civilians. In one scene, they confront a group of young boys who are throwing stones at Israeli soldiers, telling them that they are only making the situation worse.

The documentary culminates in a tragic climax, as Miller is shot and killed by Israeli soldiers while filming a night-time raid on a Palestinian home. The death of the filmmaker serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones, and underscores the urgency of finding a peaceful solution to the conflict.

Overall, Death in Gaza is a harrowing and emotionally charged documentary that provides a powerful insight into one of the world's most intractable conflicts. Despite the heartbreaking stories it tells, the film also offers a glimmer of hope, as it shows the resilience and courage of the Palestinian people in the face of adversity.