Al Jazeera releases footage: Palestinians fleeing Shujayea

Al Jazeera releases powerful exclusive footage of Palestinians fleeing Shujayea offensive

27 July, 2014

Documentary shows back story to what triggered Al Jazeera Correspondent Wael Al-Dahdouh to break down in tears during live report.

Al Jazeera English has broadcast a powerful documentary highlighting the terrifying moments Palestinian civilians flee during an Israeli ground offensive in the densely populated district of Shujayea, Gaza City.

“Shujayea: Massacre at Dawn was produced by Al Jazeera Arabic, and subtitled for English-speaking audiences. The documentary features raw and intense footage of Palestinian civilians fleeing the area after Israel’s intensified ground offensive on 20 July.

The documentary includes the now infamous footage of the shooting of a young civilian in a green t-shirt, shot as he tries to collect the dead, as well as exclusive new footage by local filmmakers and Al Jazeera Arabic Correspondent Wael Al-Dahdouh and the crew in the Gaza office.

The raw and powerful footage captures the terrifying experience of Palestinian civilians on the ground. As circulated in media, Wael Al-Dahdouh later broke down in tears during his news report on this offensive. This footage shows what he had witnessed that day.

The disturbing images includes numerous families running for their lives, desperately seeking loved ones amid the chaos and rubble, as well as wounded children in hospital.

“My son is gone!” screams a mother as she runs down a street, while moments later the teenager hops into view with a bloodied leg. He is carried away by another on his back, as is the terrified elderly father of another family, who is picked up and carried by his son amid the tumult. Others are not so lucky, with one stretcher-bearer felled by bullets, and killed in front of the camera. This is the young man in a green t-shirt, whose images have been circulating on social media.

Giles Trendle, Director of Programmes at Al Jazeera English, comments: “This is gripping footage of life on the ground for Palestinian civilians under heavy bombardment. It’s also a solemn reminder, if one were needed, about the desperate plight of the Palestinian people and the need to address the root causes of this ongoing conflict.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media