Gaza: Medics Under Fire documentary postponed by BBC after review

The BBC has postponed the broadcast of a documentary about medical professionals operating in Gaza, opting to wait until a review into a separate, earlier programme has concluded, according to a report on Sunday.

The film, tentatively titled Gaza: Medics Under Fire, was reportedly scheduled for release in February. However, its transmission was halted following the backlash over How to Survive a Warzone, after it was revealed that the teenage narrator of that film was the son of a Hamas official, as reported by The Times. 

The BBC’s decision to hold off on airing the Gaza medics documentary until after the internal review has sparked frustration within the production company, Basement Films, and among several NHS doctors involved in the project.

These doctors, who facilitated the BBC team's connections with healthcare workers in Gaza, are said to be drafting a formal letter of complaint over the delay.

Basement Films expressed dismay at the BBC’s position, saying it was "deeply disappointed" that the documentary remains unaired.

Reports also suggest the BBC may have initially intended to proceed with the broadcast before changing course.

"There is no moral or professional reason why a mistake in one film should repeatedly prevent the release of another film," the production company said, as reported by The Times.

A BBC insider told the London-based daily newspaper that alleged missteps in the previous film had left executives reluctant to move forward.

"The shortcomings identified in How to Survive a Warzone had left bosses 'terrified' of airing any documentaries about Gaza," they said. 

The review's outcome is not expected to impact Gaza: Medics Under Fire, which was produced by a team of acclaimed filmmakers whose previous work has earned Bafta and Emmy awards. The documentary has already passed BBC legal checks.

The production company, Basement Films, is led by Ben de Pear, former editor of Channel 4 News and executive producer of the Oscar-nominated For Sama. He collaborated on the Gaza project with journalist Ramita Navai and director Karim Shah.

Those involved are increasingly concerned that the ongoing delay is undermining the film’s relevance, given that filming began roughly a year ago. There is also a growing sense of duty to the individuals who shared their stories on camera, with fears that their contributions may now go unseen.

"We gathered searing testimony from multiple Palestinian doctors and health workers who had survived attacks on hospitals and their homes that killed both colleagues and loved ones," Basement Films said in a statement.

"We also spoke to multiple medics who had been detained and testified they had been tortured, and we made solemn undertakings that their stories would be told, and done so as soon as possible," they added.

The BBC has defended the documentary’s value, describing it as a significant work of journalism.

"We are committed to journalism which tells our audiences the stories of this war, including what is happening in Gaza. This documentary is a powerful piece of reporting, and we will broadcast it as soon as possible," a spokesperson told The Times.

Since the onset of its war on Gaza in October 2023, Israel has killed at least 399 aid workers and 1,060 health workers, according to the British charity Medical Aid for Palestinians.

The United Nations has accused Israel of "systematic attacks" on hospitals and medical workers, asserting that such actions violate international humanitarian law.