Naza documentary examines Israeli military civilian casualty protocols

The documentary ‘Naza’, directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, examines the Israeli intelligence acronym ‘Naza’, which refers to the predicted number of civilian casualties expected during an airstrike. The film and investigative reports from outlets such as The Guardian, 972 Magazine, and Local Call describe a system where specific numbers of civilian deaths are calculated and authorized in advance for various military targets.

Reports indicate that the military has authorized up to 20 civilian deaths for a low-ranking militant and over 100 for a Hamas commander. Investigations into military databases suggest that a significant majority of those killed in Gaza are civilians. The documentary explores the psychological mechanism of this procedure, illustrating how military personnel can view the systematic killing of civilians as a routine, calculated task.

While the Israeli military has contested certain figures and requested rephrasing of specific data, the film highlights the human cost of these algorithmic engagement rules, focusing on the disconnect between military authorizations and the resulting destruction in Gaza.