The 90-minute film titled Israel & Gaza: Into the Abyss follows a small number of Gazans and Israelis through the dramatic year of conflict.  

Using previously unseen and personal footage, it tells the story of the war in Gaza and the October 7 attacks through first person stories from both sides of the conflict. 

In Gaza, Top Hat Productions follow three individuals from their reaction to October 7 to the start of the bombing by the Israeli military, with all three losing family members.  

Meanwhile, audiences will witness footage of interviewees from Israel as they and their family members were attacked by Hamas on October 7. The documentary follows their lives through the year, including as hostages and in one case as a reservist soldier.  

ITV current affairs controller Tom Giles ordered the documentary. He said that “the dreadful events of the past year have shocked people around the world, but this is a powerful and timely reflection on the impact upon those ordinary families most affected – both inside Gaza and the parts of Israel attacked on October 7”. 

The film was directed, produced and filmed by Robin Barnwell, with Toby Fitzpatrick as producer. Guy Creasey is editor and Darren Kemp serves as executive producer. It will be distributed internationally by Sphere Abacus. 

The Gaza producers are Fatma Hassona, Osama Al-Ashi, Youssef Al-Saifi and the Israel producer is Oren Rosenfeld at Holyland Productions.