Gaza War Documentary ‘Kids Under Fire’ Wins Major Honors at News and Documentary Emmy Awards

NEW YORK: A documentary examining child casualties and reported gunshot injuries during the Gaza conflict has emerged as one of the standout winners at this year’s News and Documentary Emmy Awards, held in New York.

The film, Kids Under Fire, part of the investigative series Fault Lines by Al Jazeera English, received two major accolades: Outstanding War or Violence Coverage and Outstanding Writing: News.

Released in March 2025, the documentary investigates a series of cases involving children in Gaza who arrived at medical facilities with gunshot wounds during the ongoing war. It reports that more than 16,000 children have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, most as a result of Israeli military strikes, while also highlighting accounts from doctors who described treating multiple children with similar injuries.

The film follows testimonies from American healthcare workers who served in Gaza and recount their firsthand experiences treating injured children. It also features the case of four-year-old Mira Al Darini, who survived a gunshot wound to the head in Khan Younis after receiving treatment from Dr. Mimi Syed during her medical mission in the territory.

The documentary argues that such incidents were not isolated, with medical professionals interviewed stating they treated dozens of children with comparable injuries. It also explores broader questions surrounding the conduct of the conflict and references external support provided to military operations, including from international partners.

The Fault Lines investigative series, known for its coverage of conflict, human rights, and political issues, has previously received multiple international honors, including Emmy, Peabody, and Overseas Press Club awards.

Accepting one of the awards, correspondent Josh Rushing delivered an emotional address paying tribute to journalists killed in Gaza and calling attention to the challenges facing war reporting. His remarks also highlighted concerns about press freedom and the risks faced by journalists working in conflict zones.

The News and Documentary Emmy Awards, presented by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, recognize excellence in broadcast journalism and documentary filmmaking. First established in 1980, this year marked the 47th edition of the ceremony.

Gaza-related reporting featured prominently among this year’s winners, with several other outlets also receiving recognition. NBC News won awards for Outstanding Video Journalism and Outstanding Editing for its coverage Filmed in Gaza. CNN received the Outstanding Interview: Short Form award for its reporting on Gaza, while CBS News earned recognition for Outstanding Hard News Report: Short Form for its 60 Minutes segment The War in Gaza.