Ep 9. One Day In Gaza

In season 38 episode 9 of Frontline, titled "One Day In Gaza," viewers are taken on a journey to the Gaza Strip on May 14, 2018, a day that will forever be etched in the memories of the Palestinian people.

The episode begins with footage of the U.S. embassy opening in Jerusalem, a move that incited anger and protests among Palestinians who see Jerusalem as their rightful capital. The camera then shows the Gaza-Israel border where thousands of Palestinians, including women and children, had gathered to protest the embassy move and to demand their right to return to their ancestral homes in present-day Israel.

The situation on the border is tense as heavily armed Israeli soldiers stand guard atop earthen berms, while Palestinians stand on the other side of the fence waving flags and throwing stones. As the camera pans across the border, viewers see a sea of people, as far as the eye can see, reminding us of the sheer number of people living in Gaza.

We meet several Palestinians, whose stories will stick with viewers long after the episode ends. We meet an ambulance driver, Mohammed, who is anxiously waiting for the protests to begin. He tells us that he's seen countless injuries and deaths since the start of the Great March of Return protests on March 30 of that year. We see him racing from one injury to another, trying to save as many lives as he can in the face of indiscriminate Israeli sniper fire.

We also meet 12-year-old Nassir, who tells us about his dream of becoming a journalist. Nassir is excited to be at the protests, but he is also scared. He tells us that he hopes to show the world what's happening in Gaza and to help bring about change. We see him interviewing other young protesters, asking them why they're risking their lives to attend the protests.

Frontline also introduces us to a young woman, Razan, who is part of a medical team working to help those injured at the protests. Razan is passionate about her work, and she tells us that despite the danger, she will continue to come to the protests to help save lives.

As the day wears on, tensions rise, and Israeli soldiers begin firing tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition into the crowd. The camera captures the chaos as people run for cover, seeking refuge from the gunfire. We see the wounded being carried away, some on stretchers, and others on the shoulders of fellow protesters.

Despite the danger, people continue to gather at the border, bringing food, water, and medical supplies to those in need. One man tells us that he came to the protests to show his children what it means to defend their rights, even if it means risking their lives.

As the sun begins to set, Mohammed, the ambulance driver, tells us that he's never seen so many injuries in one day. He says that the Israeli snipers were targeting the protesters' legs to maim them and make it harder for them to return to the protests. Mohammed is exhausted, but he knows that his work isn't done.

The episode ends with footage of the protests winding down, and the aftermath of the day's violence. We see the injured being treated in hospitals, and we hear the stories of those who lost loved ones in the protests. One thing that is clear is that the Palestinians' struggle for their rights is far from over, and that the world must pay attention to what's happening in Gaza.

One Day In Gaza is a powerful and heartbreaking episode of Frontline that shines a light on the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, and the toll it's taking on the people of Gaza. The episode may be difficult to watch at times, but it's an important reminder of the human cost of political conflicts, and the resilience of those who refuse to give up hope.