The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached unprecedented levels, with the healthcare system on the brink of collapse. Nearly three years into Israel’s war on Palestinians, the situation remains dire, despite a ceasefire that began in. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rejection of President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace agreement with Hamas has further complicated efforts to bring relief to the region.
The new documentary American Doctor follows three U.S. physicians—Dr. Thaer Ahmad, Dr. Mark Perlmutter, and Dr. Feroze Sidhwa—who volunteered to enter Gaza to provide emergency medical care. Their mission was fraught with danger, as healthcare workers and hospitals have repeatedly been targeted by strikes. The film offers a stark and unflinching look at the challenges they faced and the atrocities they witnessed.
Healthcare System on the Brink
Dr. Thaer Ahmad, an emergency medicine physician and humanitarian, has provided medical relief in conflict zones including Gaza. In an interview with The Intercept Briefing, he described the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict on the healthcare system. “The burden has really continued to devastate the healthcare system in general,” he said. “They don’t have the materials that they need to serve their patients. They don’t have even the basic sort of guarantee that there is a cloak of security allowing them to operate in the traditional ways that they would like to.”
The documentary highlights the dire conditions in Gaza’s hospitals, where medical staff struggle to provide care with insufficient supplies. The film also showcases the personal stories of the doctors, who come from diverse backgrounds—Palestinian, Jewish, and Zoroastrian—and their shared commitment to exposing the truth about the humanitarian crisis.
The Challenges of Documenting the Crisis
Director Poh Si Teng faced significant challenges in documenting the doctors’ work in Gaza. As a journalist with a background in high-profile media outlets, she knew that gaining entry into Gaza would be nearly impossible. Instead, she collaborated with a team of Gazan producers and filmmakers to capture the harrowing realities on the ground. “This film is really to honor what they saw and what they are living through,” Teng said, emphasizing the importance of amplifying the voices of those directly affected by the conflict.
The documentary also explores the political and media landscape that shapes the narrative around the conflict. The doctors faced backlash upon returning home, with mainstream media outlets and lawmakers ignoring their testimonies. “There’s this refusal to acknowledge what most American people are interested in,” Ahmad noted, highlighting the need for a shift in focus from military aid to investing in healthcare and community services.
The Impact of the Documentary
American Doctor serves as a powerful call to action, urging viewers to recognize the systemic issues that perpetuate the crisis in Gaza. Teng emphasized the importance of individual agency in driving change, stating, “For everybody who’s trying to do something in this moment, it’s not like as individuals we have no agency. We do.” The film aims to inspire viewers to demand accountability and support for the people of Gaza.
The documentary is available on various platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. For those seeking a deeper understanding of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, American Doctor offers a compelling and eye-opening perspective.
