For decades, Palestine has been under the boot of Israel’s ever advancing colonial project. The Western-backed country has long interfered with commerce, immigration, and land rights in the region, setting up illegal settlements across dwindling Palestinian lands in Gaza and the West Bank while paramilitary settlers push out Palestinians with the help of Israeli Defense Force soldiers.
Since the start of Israel’s Operation Iron Sword in 2023, 1.5 million people have been displaced, and the majority of housing in the Gaza Strip has been damaged or destroyed by constant bombing attacks. Pinned in on all sides by the advancing Israeli Army, Palestinians have been by and large unable to tell their stories with Israel’s ban on foreign journalists in the war zone. With the help of Palestinian journalist and single mother Shrouq, Gaza: Trapped in Hell (2024) gives us a glimpse of life for those made refugees in their own home.
The main issues present in Gaza: Trapped in Hell arise from a “trust me, bro” journalistic style. We are shown copious evidence of the utter overreaction of Israel’s response to Hamas’ attacks in Autumn of 2023 and to their use of collective punishment in the bombing and ransacking the few hospitals and medical centers still operating in Gaza. Israel’s Defense Forces continue this trend of collective punishment by keeping necessary equipment and medicine from reaching the most vulnerable Palestinians, essentially kept captive and dying of treatable illness and chronic disease in an active war zone for fear of “national security.”
The only proof offered of the often mentioned “mafia gangs” and Hamas intimidators comes from a single anonymous person calling in from France. These issues are never mentioned by the Palestinians the camera follows, and the use of recycled clips from Israeli Army PR campaigns only casts further doubts on some of these claims: You can’t show me a video of the back of an old man’s head and say “This is the leader of Hamas smuggling” when none of his features are present, he’s accompanied only by two or three young boys, and the only thing any of them carry is water bottles. In that sense, it is an excellent example of propaganda over true journalistic effort.
The sections where Shrouq leads the camera around hospitals and refugee camps are where Gaza: Trapped in Hell really shines, and I wish that the director and voiceover had allowed Palestinians to speak for themselves instead of persistently speaking over them. For it’s focus on day-to-day issues in Gaza, this documentary is a fantastic choice, but the fabrication of consent for Israel’s continuing violations of international law as a form of “self-defense” make it hard to broadly recommend. Strong Optional Purchase.
How can Gaza: Trapped in Hell be integrated into public libraries’ collection development?
Public libraries can integrate Gaza: Trapped in Hell into their collection development as part of a broader effort to provide educational resources on global conflicts, human rights, and Middle Eastern geopolitics. This documentary offers a compelling glimpse into life under siege in Gaza and highlights the civilian cost of ongoing conflict. Its inclusion would support community discussions, provide an alternative perspective on global news, and offer context to audiences seeking a deeper understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
What college courses and majors could benefit from using Gaza: Trapped in Hell?
Gaza: Trapped in Hell would be a valuable resource for courses in Political Science, Middle Eastern Studies, International Relations, Human Rights, Journalism, and Documentary Filmmaking. It would allow students to analyze media coverage of conflicts, critique the intersection of propaganda and journalism, and explore the human impact of geopolitical struggles.
How could Gaza: Trapped in Hell enhance special events on college campuses?
Gaza: Trapped in Hell could serve as the centerpiece for special events like Global Awareness Week or Human Rights Day on college campuses. Screenings could be followed by panel discussions featuring experts in Middle Eastern studies, human rights advocates, or journalists. These events could spark informed conversations and inspire student activism.