Release of NAZA documentary on Israeli military operations

The documentary ‘NAZA’, directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, has premiered in Venice, providing a detailed account of Israeli military strategies in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, attacks. The film features interviews with 24 anonymous Israeli intelligence agents and soldiers, exploring the psychological impact of the conflict and the systematic nature of military operations.

A central focus of the film is the ‘Naza’ acronym, which refers to the predicted number of civilian casualties expected during an airstrike. The documentary and related investigative reports describe a system where specific numbers of civilian deaths are calculated and authorized in advance for various targets, such as authorizing up to 20 civilian deaths for a low-ranking militant or over 100 for a Hamas commander.

While the Israeli military has contested certain figures and requested the rephrasing of specific data, the film highlights the human cost of these algorithmic engagement rules and the disconnect between military authorizations and the resulting destruction in Gaza. Some interviewees in the film have characterized the actions as genocide.