📺 The scale of Palestinian suffering continues to unfold before the world’s eyes in Sohab Al Ard. Directed by Peter Mimi, the drama attempts to shed light on life in occupied Gaza — an endeavor that feels both ill-timed in its dramatization and urgently needed in its portrayal of a suffering difficult to comprehend. The series explores an ethical dilemma — should the lived suffering of mns be rendered as scripted drama for audience consumption, even if it’s not inherently meant for entertainment?

Sohab Al Ard is anything but a comfortable watch. Set against the backdrop of the 7 October attacks, the series unfolds in an utterly destroyed Gaza — shots of rubble, abandoned buildings, makeshift tents, and an under-equipped hospital dominate the frame. The story follows Dr. Salma Shawky (Menna Shalaby), who arrives with an Egyptian relief convoy headed toward a Gaza hospital. There, Nasser (Eyad Nassar) and his nephew Younis — the sole survivors of a bombing that destroyed their home — seek help for the critically injured boy.

The narrative is realistic, immersing viewers in the immediacy of the events, despite early fears that it might lean toward stereotypical or hyper-dramatized depictions. The series highlights vulnerable moments that feel almost intrusive to witness, and the emotional weight is palpable. We’re shown understated perspectives, such as Salma carrying the burden of lifting her patients’ spirits while she suffers through her own personal trauma.

The characters are not reduced to emotional spectacle; they often process their emotions quietly and inwardly. Light-hearted moments appear in the show, emphasizing that while these characters reflect real human suffering, their lives are not defined by grief alone — they cope through shared memories, gentle teasing, and the small details of life. Nassar and Tara Abboud (who plays his daughter Karma in the West Bank) deliver standout performances, and the rest of the main cast delivers noteworthy performances as well.

WHERE TO WATCH- The show is streaming on Watch It. You can watch the trailer on YouTube (watch, runtime: 1:59).

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