Documentary NAZA sparks backlash in Israel over Gaza civilian casualty reporting

The investigative documentary NAZA, directed by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, has drawn intense condemnation from Israeli officials following its exposure of military targeting practices in Gaza. The film features testimonies from 24 anonymous Israeli soldiers and intelligence officers regarding the use of artificial intelligence, surveillance, and databases to identify targets and manage civilian casualties.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials have accused the filmmakers of betrayal, with threats to introduce legislation that could revoke their Israeli citizenship. The directors stated they produced the film out of an obligation to examine the systems responsible for the mass killing of Palestinian civilians, noting that death threats and political backlash will not stop their work.

NAZA, which derives its name from the Hebrew expression for “collateral damage,” received the Special Jury Prize at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. The documentary is currently undergoing international screenings, including in the United Kingdom and Mexico, and is expected to be released for free on The Guardian’s website in late November.