- BIST10011,843+1.51%
- USD50.28+0.05%
- EUR55.60-0.24%
- GOLD3,886.30+0.03%
- INTEREST36.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN63,830-0.45%
- November 15, 202612°
- BIST10011,843+1.51%
- USD50.28+0.05%
- EUR55.60-0.24%
- GOLD3,886.30+0.03%
- INTEREST36.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN63,830-0.45%
- November 15, 202612°
“Hospitals are not battlefields”: “American Doctor” distributor mourns surgeon Abu Shaira
U.S. distributor Watermelon Pictures condemned the killing of Palestinian surgeon Rizq Abu Shaira, who appeared in the documentary “American Doctor,” in the Israeli strike on the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis and called for accountability.
Following the Israeli strike on the surgical building at the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, U.S. film distributor Watermelon Pictures condemned the killing of Palestinian surgeon Dr. Rizq Abu Shaira, one of the doctors featured in the documentary “American Doctor,” which the company distributes.
In a statement, the company said it “strongly condemns” the attack and the “ongoing pattern of violence” against healthcare workers, patients and medical facilities in Gaza. It stressed that hospitals “must never be treated as battlefields,” that international humanitarian law grants special protection to hospitals, medical personnel and patients, and that deliberate attacks on them are prohibited and may constitute war crimes.
The film still shows doctors performing surgery inside the Nasser Medical Complex, where Gaza-based Alf Multimedia filmed part of the documentary inside the hospital.
“Hospitals are places of healing”
Hamza Ali, the company’s co-founder, said: “We were horrified and heartbroken by the killing of Dr. Rizq Abu Shaira. This is another devastating example of the ongoing violence against Gaza’s medical community. Hospitals are places of healing, not targets of war.” He called for accountability and an end to the destruction of the territory’s healthcare system.
The company said another Palestinian surgeon featured in the film, Dr. Mohammed Adini, was seriously wounded in the same attack and is “fighting for his life.” Both doctors worked at the Nasser Medical Complex.
About the film
The film was directed by journalist Boh See Ting and premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. It follows three American doctors—Thaer Ahmad, Mark Perlmutter and Feroze Sidwa—during their volunteer missions at the Nasser Medical Complex and their return to the United States to testify about what they witnessed. The director said Abu Shaira’s death was “a painful reminder that the crisis documented in our film is continuing.”
Gaza’s Ministry of Health said the strike killed at least six people, including Dr. Abu Shaira and a 13-year-old child, and wounded more than 20 others. The Israeli military claimed it had targeted a Hamas commander. Munir al-Barsh, director general of Gaza’s Ministry of Health, said Israel had targeted the Nasser Medical Complex seven times since 2023.
On the same day as the strike, “American Doctor” led the nominations for the Cinema Eye Honors documentary awards with seven nominations.
Photos: Anadolu, Watermelon Pictures
Stay Updated with Hilal Times
Subscribe to be informed about special news, developments and announcements. We will keep you informed.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy
