Watermelon Pictures, the North American distributor of the documentary “American Doctor,” issued a statement condemning the reported killing of Palestinian surgeon Dr. Rizk Abu Shaaira following an airstrike at a Gaza hospital on Wednesday. The distributor called the incident a devastating example of violence against Gaza’s medical community and demanded accountability and an end to attacks on healthcare infrastructure.
Director Poh Si Teng’s documentary, which premiered at Sundance, chronicles three physicians performing surgeries at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, Gaza during the conflict with Israel. The film focuses on the practical realities of surgical work in a wartime setting, with scenes depicting the treatment of patients injured in bombing incidents. According to reporting from Reuters and other news services, the airstrike also severely injured Dr. Mohammed Odainy, another Palestinian surgeon featured in the film.
Dr. Feroze Sidhwa, a trauma surgeon from California who appeared in the documentary and worked alongside both physicians, released a statement describing their professional relationships and shared surgical experiences. Sidhwa recounted performing complex procedures with Abu Shaaira and Odainy, including trauma surgeries on patients with blast injuries. He characterized both men as friends, colleagues, and sources of inspiration, describing the circumstances as an unforgivable crime.
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