4 Must-Watch Documentaries On The War In Gaza

The situation in the Gaza Strip could not be more dire. A cease-fire deal — despite being many hostages’ families’ top priority for months — does not appear likely in the short term, given Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s insistence on the “total” destruction of Hamas’ military and governing capabilities before the war ends. Here is a small selection: Released in June, this masterful Al Jazeera “Fault Lines” documentary takes viewers inside Gaza for a firsthand look at Israeli military tactics there, and then to Washington, D.C., for an examination of the United States’ crucial diplomatic and military support for Israel. Working with a team of Gazan journalists as well as analysts from Airwars and Forensic Architecture, two groups that specialize in in-depth analysis of military violence, the film looks at several incidents since the start of Israel’s military operation, as well as observable trends in Israeli military tactics, such as bombing areas that Israel had designated “safe zones.” Of particular note is the film’s reconstruction of the final moments of Hind Rajab, the 6-year-old Palestinian girl who, according to all available evidence — including a meticulous audio reconstruction from Forensic Architecture — was killed by Israeli forces while stranded in a car in Gaza, alongside five of Rajab’s family members and two paramedics dispatched to rescue her. Released last month by Zeteo, former MSNBC anchor Mehdi Hasan’s new media venture, “Israel’s Reel Extremism” looks at the invasion of Gaza through Israelis’ eyes — or, more specifically, their social media accounts.