Gaza Documentary “Come Back to Me” Reveals Heartbreaking Tale of Separated Newborn Twins

A powerful new documentary tells a story of family separation amid the Israel-Hamas war. “Gaza’s Twins, Come Back to Me” follows a mother and her infant triplets. It will premiere at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) in November.

The film, produced by Al Jazeera Witness, captures a deeply human crisis. It highlights the personal toll of the conflict through one family’s struggle.

Filmmaker Captures 16-Month Journey of Displacement and Longing

The story begins in late 2023. Rania, eight months pregnant, flees her home in northern Gaza during bombardment. She gives birth to triplets in traumatic conditions. One girl dies immediately.

The two surviving babies, Jowan and Hamoud, are dangerously weak. They require an incubator for care. When their hospital is evacuated, the newborns are moved to southern Gaza.

Their aunt, Nisreen, becomes their primary caregiver. A military travel ban prevents the twins from returning to their mother, Rania. For over 16 months, the film documents their parallel lives.

Director Filmed from War Zone, Guided by Children’s Reality

Gaza-based director Mohammed Sawwaf helmed the project. He was recovering from injuries sustained in an airstrike in late 2023. His team was separated across the divided territory when filming began.

Sawwaf instructed his crew to let the children guide the story. The approach was purely observational. The goal was to witness life without interference, capturing displacement, hunger, and deep longing.

The documentary focuses on the unbreakable bonds of motherhood. It shows a family’s resilience despite impossible circumstances. According to IDFA, the film offers a stark, intimate look at war’s impact on the most vulnerable.

The documentary “Gaza’s Twins, Come Back to Me” provides a crucial human lens on a devastating conflict. This Gaza documentary reminds the world of the individual lives behind the headlines.

A quick knowledge drop for you

Q1: When and where can I watch this Gaza documentary?

It will world premiere at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) on November 16. Wider distribution plans after the festival are not yet announced.

Q2: Who made “Gaza’s Twins, Come Back to Me”?

It was directed by Gaza filmmaker Mohammed Sawwaf. It is produced by Alef Multimedia and co-produced by Dutch partners for Al Jazeera’s Witness series.

Q3: What is the main focus of the film?

The film focuses on motherhood, family separation, and survival. It follows the twin babies and their mother for 16 months during the war.

Q4: What challenges did the film crew face?

The director was injured and trapped in northern Gaza. His team was in the south, filming amid active conflict, displacement, and a humanitarian crisis.

Q5: Why is this story significant?

It personalizes a large-scale tragedy. The film moves beyond statistics to show the war’s impact on a single family, especially newborn children.