Investigating War Crimes in Gaza

Eighteen months into the war in Gaza, more than 51,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been confirmed killed. At least 10,000 more are missing, most buried under rubble and presumed dead. Entire neighborhoods have been demolished. Palestinian detainees have been stripped naked and tortured. Civilians have been used as human shields. Unarmed individuals, including children, have been shot and killed. These potential war crimes, among others, are documented in photos and videos in the feature documentary Investigating War Crimes in Gaza by the Al Jazeera Investigative Unit, as well as the database that informs it. In a macabre twist, the videos come from the Israeli soldiers themselves. Al Jazeera’s thorough examination of the footage posted online by Israeli soldiers—using their own names—adds up to a damning digital dossier. Videos document the destruction of civilian infrastructure, looting and harassment. Others show soldiers laughing as they detonate explosives placed in homes, schools, and places of worship. Some of the most harrowing footage depicts detainees stripped, blindfolded and bound while being mocked and beaten. Among the most shocking pieces of evidence are videos of snipers shooting fleeing civilians. For providing an unprecedented level of accountability through real-time documentation of potential war crimes, Investigating War Crimes in Gaza wins a Peabody Award.