Reveal: "Kids Under Fire in Gaza" (Aired September 20, 2025)

Podcast: Reveal (The Center for Investigative Reporting & PRX)
Host: Al Letson
Length: ~54 minutes
Summary by Sections with Timestamps

Overview of the Episode

This searing episode of Reveal, in collaboration with Al Jazeera’s Fault Lines, documents the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza through the firsthand testimony of American doctors who volunteered during the conflict. Focusing on the plight of children, the episode weaves personal stories from the frontlines with an investigation into U.S. policy, the enforcement of human rights laws, and the struggle to hold Israel accountable amid political resistance. It follows Dr. Mimi Saed and others as they witness and attempt to document extreme violence, malnutrition, and the international failures to intervene—culminating in legal efforts at the United Nations and International Criminal Court.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. International Recognition of Palestinian Statehood and Humanitarian Crisis [02:36–03:51]

• The episode kicks off by framing the rising global support for Palestinian statehood—France, Canada, Australia, and Belgium have recently recognized Palestine as a state, citing the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza as the catalyst.
• Prime Minister Netanyahu calls it “shameful” that other nations are moving toward recognition.

“Why at this moment? Because we've seen the horrible situation on the ground and with people starving and it’s totally unacceptable.”
—Belgium’s Foreign Minister [03:08]

• The UN General Assembly is meeting in New York with Palestinian statehood on the agenda.

2. Witness: American Doctors Enter Gaza [04:32–16:40]

Dr. Mimi Saed’s Journey [04:32–10:02]

• Dr. Mimi Saed, an ER doctor from Washington, is galvanized by social media footage and feels compelled to go to Gaza.
• She is among the few allowed in as Israel blocks almost all observers and foreign press, only granting access to some doctors and embedded journalists.
• The scale of violence shocks her: mass casualty events are daily; she treats children with gunshot wounds to the head or chest—a level of targeted violence she hadn’t seen before.

“Back home, kids would come in dead with single shots to the head. … It’s never normal to have a child with a gunshot wound in his head or her head or chest.”
—Dr. Mimi Saed [07:08]

• Describes the triage system: green/yellow/red/black—the last signifying death or futile resource use.

• Case of Meera (4 years old):
  Despite being triaged “black” (no hope), Dr. Saed intubates Meera and gets her to surgery. Miraculously, Meera survives— the only such child Dr. Saed saw survive in her month on the ground.
  [08:06–09:28]

“This was the only child that I saw I was able to get to the CT scan that survived. A lot of them came in very similar to her presentation, but were dead already.”
—Dr. Mimi Saed [09:28]

The Data Effort & Backlash [10:02–13:15]

• Dr. Firoz Sidwa, another American trauma surgeon, organizes a survey and op-ed documenting the doctors’ observations; 99 American medical practitioners sign a letter calling for a ceasefire and weapons embargo.
• Their New York Times op-ed and accompanying CT scans spark disbelief and accusations of fabrication—even from other doctors.

“Physicians who call themselves humanitarians are ignoring that children are being shot in the head. How could you do that?”
—Dr. Mimi Saed [13:06]

The Scope of the Crisis [16:09–16:40]

• On her return visit, Dr. Saed and colleagues record evidence of severe malnutrition, likening the scenes to Holocaust survivor images.
• The psychological toll is immense, with Dr. Saed expressing feelings of futility and discouragement.

3. From Gaza to Washington: Advocacy and Political Friction [18:15–22:10]

• After returning to the U.S., Dr. Saed and colleagues lobby Congress (January 2025), pushing for humanitarian action and enforcement of human rights law, specifically the Leahy Law, which prohibits military assistance to units accused of gross violations.
• They meet mostly with aides, not lawmakers, and face skepticism about their medical documentation—even in person.

“It seems kind of odd to have to convince people that shooting kids in the head is wrong.”
—Dr. Mimi Saed [22:04]

4. The Leahy Law and U.S. Double Standards [22:57–34:22]

• Explains the history, purpose, and failures of the Leahy Law as applied to Israel.
• Interview with Tim Reeser (law’s author) and Charles O’Blaha (ex-State Department), who both assert that despite extensive reporting of abuses—including shootings of children—no Israeli unit has ever lost U.S. aid under the law.

“It’s a matter of political will. … there was a conscious decision not to apply the law.”
—Tim Reeser [27:20]

“Israel receives assistance that's untraceable, and that's a problem under the Leahy Law.”
—Charles O’Blaha [28:35]

• Doctors’ testimonies—dozens of children shot with intent—are highlighted as likely credible evidence of gross violations, but political will to apply the law is absent.

"I don't think anyone in a position of authority... would accept the premise that the IDF is targeting children, even in the face of credible evidence."
—Charles O'Blaha [34:22]

5. International Legal Efforts: United Nations and World Courts [35:07–47:58]

Taking Testimony to the U.N. and ICC [36:28–44:13]

• Drs. Saed and Sidwa, along with other U.S. doctors, bring firsthand testimony to the UN Secretary General, who subsequently calls for urgent child medical evacuations.
• Their involvement feeds into South Africa’s application at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of genocide.

“They (ICJ) found every single medical professional statement we shared with them to be credible enough to use in preparing the memorial.”
—Katie Gallagher, Center for Constitutional Rights [44:04]

Legal & Political Developments [40:06–44:13]

• The International Criminal Court issues warrants for both Hamas and Israeli leaders.
• Israel and the U.S. dismiss or sanction court proceedings, which are ongoing; the ICJ orders Israel to alleviate the crisis, but compliance is lacking.

“International justice doesn't happen on its own. It needs to be pushed.”
—Katie Gallagher [46:07]

6. Continued Crisis and Blocked Access [47:58–52:16]

• U.S. backs the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) to take over food aid, yet widespread malnutrition and violence around aid sites persist.
• Over 2,100 Palestinians killed near these sites since the change; UN calls the change a “fig leaf for further violence.”
• Dr. Saed is denied entry to Gaza on her next attempt—potentially for her outspokenness.

“Not only do we possess life-saving skills, but I have formula for babies…half of my suitcase is filled with baby formula… but I am denied from entering.”
—Dr. Mimi Saed [50:13]

Notable & Memorable Quotes

• On daily reality:
  “I was seeing things that I never in my life thought I would see.”
  —Dr. Mimi Saed [06:50]

• On feeling powerless:
  “In Gaza, there is no end. It just keeps going. And futility is the only way to describe it, because no matter what you do, you're not changing the outcome.”
  —Dr. Mimi Saed [10:23]

• On policy inaction:
  “The law is fine. It could be applied to Israel just the way it is to other countries. It's a matter of political will.”
  —Tim Reeser [27:20]

• On trying to effect change:
  “I have a little bit of hope being here. Hope, Hope. Hope that someone will listen.”
  —Dr. Mimi Saed, arriving at the Capitol [18:18]

• On continued return to Gaza:
  “I keep failing and nothing. I just keep going back at it.”
  —Dr. Mimi Saed [49:24]

Important Timestamps & Their Segments

• [04:48–05:21] – Dr. Saed describes the moment she decides to go to Gaza.
• [08:06–09:28] – Story of Meera, the 4-year-old shot in the head, and her miraculous survival.
• [11:08–13:15] – American doctors’ pushback and backlash after NY Times op-ed.
• [20:33–22:10] – Lobbying on Capitol Hill; the challenge of convincing policymakers.
• [22:57–34:22] – Deep dive on U.S. Leahy Law, how and why it is not enforced regarding Israel.
• [36:28–38:40] – UN meeting, global advocacy steps, and their immediate impacts.
• [40:06–47:58] – ICC and ICJ legal proceedings: genocide charges and the doctors’ legal impact.
• [50:13–50:53] – Dr. Saed’s recounting of being denied re-entry to Gaza, possibly for her advocacy.

Concluding Themes

• Despite harrowing testimony and mounting evidence, political intransigence at the national and international level stymies meaningful intervention.
• Doctors' voices—both as witnesses and advocates—are increasingly central to accountability efforts but face skepticism and suppression.
• The episode ends with climbing death tolls, ongoing famine, and Dr. Mimi Saed’s resolve to try returning, stating solidarity as “the least I can do,” even as bureaucratic barriers and political apathy persist.

For full context, listen to the episode or visit Reveal’s website for transcripts, supplemental material, and the linked documentary "Kids Under Fire."