Naza documentary exposes AI-driven military targeting in Gaza

The documentary film ‘Naza’, directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, examines the use of artificial intelligence in Israeli military targeting operations in Gaza. The film features anonymous testimonies from twenty-four Israeli soldiers and intelligence officers who describe how automated systems drove combat decisions.

Key technical details revealed include the ‘Lavender’ AI platform, which was used to identify between 60,000 and 70,000 mobile phone numbers associated with suspected operatives for bombardment. Another protocol, ‘Where’s Daddy’, alerted operators when a target returned to a residential building, leading to strikes that resulted in high civilian fatalities.

The film’s title is derived from the Hebrew military acronym ‘nezek agavi’, meaning collateral damage. According to the documentary, the benchmarks for acceptable civilian casualties expanded during operations, with ratios reaching up to twenty non-combatants for every targeted militant. The film, which received the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival, explores the organizational mechanics of these remote operations and the human impact of automated warfare.