James Miller
Male
Verified James Miller was a British documentary filmmaker and journalist. He was shot and killed on May 2, 2003, in Rafah, Gaza, while filming for Channel 4 and HBO.
Their Story
James Miller was a British documentary filmmaker and journalist. He was in Gaza working on a film for Channel 4 and HBO about the impact of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on children.
On the evening of May 2, 2003, Miller and his crew were filming in the Rafah refugee camp. According to reports, they were attempting to identify themselves to Israeli soldiers in an armored personnel carrier. Miller was carrying a white flag and a flashlight. He was shot in the neck by a single bullet fired from the Israeli position.
The incident occurred during the Second Intifada, a period of intensified Israeli-Palestinian violence that began in September 2000. Israeli military operations in Rafah, aimed at uncovering and destroying smuggling tunnels, were frequent and often met with armed Palestinian resistance.
An Israeli military investigation concluded the shooting was a "grave mistake" but did not result in criminal charges. A British inquest in 2006 returned a verdict of unlawful killing. Miller's family brought a civil case against the Israeli Ministry of Defense, which was settled out of court in 2013.
Miller's death highlighted the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones. His final, unfinished film, 'Death in Gaza,' was completed by his colleague Saira Shah and won three Emmy Awards, serving as a record of his work.
Explore Further
James Miller was killed during the Second Intifada (2000?2005). The conflict concluded in February 2005. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.
Among those documented in the same conflict: Fadel Shana, Ahmad Abu Hussein, Shireen Abu Akleh, Ghufran Warasna.
