A new documentary titled "American Doctor," directed by Poh Si Teng, premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, detailing the experiences of three American surgeons on medical missions in Gaza. The film follows orthopedic surgeon Mark Perlmutter, emergency physician Thaer Ahmad, and trauma surgeon Feroze Sidhwa as they treat civilians during the ongoing conflict and subsequently share their observations with U.S. lawmakers and the public.
The documentary features footage from inside Gaza hospitals captured by Palestinian cinematographers, alongside scenes of the doctors' lives in the United States. Director Poh Si Teng stated that the film aims to provide an unflinching look at a healthcare system she described as decimated by Israeli military action, noting the challenges of balancing graphic imagery with respect for the deceased and their families.
During the medical missions, Dr. Ahmad reported managing "mass casualty events" involving dozens of patients arriving simultaneously without adequate space or supplies. Dr. Perlmutter stated that due to a lack of resources, he performed hundreds of amputations on children and infants without anesthesia. He attributed the scarcity of supplies to deliberate policies by the Israeli government, claiming that surgical instruments and antibiotics he brought were confiscated.
The Israeli government screens supplies under "dual-use" policies, which prohibit items that officials determine could be used for military operations by militant groups. However, human rights organizations and medical volunteers cited in the film reported that the confiscated items include essential medical equipment such as incubators, ventilators, and antibiotics. The film also documents the doctors' efforts to present their findings to members of Congress and the media upon their return.
The film highlights the impact of U.S. foreign policy on the region, as director Poh Si Teng noted that the U.S. provides billions of dollars in military support to Israel. For U.S. taxpayers and voters, the film connects domestic political decisions and funding to the operational capacity of Gaza’s hospitals. The doctors' advocacy efforts toward members of Congress indicate that their firsthand accounts are being used to influence future policy regarding military aid and humanitarian access to the territory.
Furthermore, the documentary addresses the flow of information from Gaza, where Israel has barred international journalists from independent reporting throughout the war. By following American doctors who were permitted entry for medical missions, the film serves as a vehicle for eyewitness accounts that would otherwise be restricted. "American Doctor" is currently showing in theaters in select U.S. cities, where it is intended to provide the public with a visual record of the conflict's impact on civilian infrastructure.
What happens next: The documentary continues its run in select U.S. theaters as of August 24, 2026. The Israeli military recently launched criminal investigations on August 20, 2026, into specific incidents involving the killings of a five-year-old and paramedics, though it is not yet reported if these probes will lead to changes in the "dual-use" supply policies that affect medical resource availability.