The documentary “NAZA,” directed by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, offers a stark examination of Israel’s military actions in Gaza following the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. Premiering on September 10 at the Venice Film Festival, the film has sparked significant controversy, drawing both criticism and official rebuttals from Israeli authorities.
“NAZA,” which derives its title from a Hebrew shorthand for “damage,” is based on 24 interviews with Israeli intelligence officers and soldiers. These interviews were conducted at night on rooftops in Tel Aviv, with the filmmakers altering the voices and appearances of the participants to maintain anonymity—some interviewees expressed concerns about potential arrest. The interviews reveal decisions made during military operations that resulted in extensive civilian casualties in Gaza, highlighting the military’s shifting thresholds for acceptable collateral damage. One interviewee references the term “15 NAZA” as a sanitized expression for a death toll that includes children and women, underscoring the depersonalization involved in these assessments.
The documentary focuses substantially on the human cost of the conflict, incorporating depictions of everyday life in Gaza alongside visuals of military action, sirens, and rocket fire. Interviewees discuss operations that have led to mass casualties, often speaking with calmness that contrasts with the gravity of their accounts. The film intersperses these dialogues with archival footage and snippets of news broadcasts, including statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who in the immediate aftermath of the October 7 attacks declared Israel at war and announced a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip by October 9, 2023. Gaza health officials reported that by mid-2026, over 70,000 people had died in the conflict.
Netanyahu’s government has responded sharply to the documentary. The Israel Defense Forces has denied the claims presented in the film, and Netanyahu himself likened it to a ballistic missile attack against Israel. He has also threatened to revoke the citizenship of the filmmakers, escalating tensions surrounding the documentary’s release.
Throughout “NAZA,” the film highlights the systemic and technological aspects of warfare, revealing the dehumanizing language and policies implemented during the Gaza conflict. Some interviewees express remorse for their roles, while others emphasize trust in military systems or describe their actions as routine duties. This portrayal reflects a complex range of perspectives within the Israeli military, illustrating the bureaucratic and ethical challenges faced during the campaign.
Critics argue that the film’s candid testimonies align with previous reports documenting a shift in Israeli military policies that increased permissible civilian casualties. Supporters of Israel’s response emphasize the context of relentless rocket attacks from Gaza and the abduction of hostages, framing military actions as defense measures against persistent threats.
“NAZA” also evokes broader historical echoes, referencing Claude Lanzmann’s “Shoah” to draw parallels with the importance of witness testimony in understanding conflicts. By focusing on firsthand accounts rather than political rhetoric, the filmmakers aim to provide a direct, unfiltered narrative that underscores the human dimensions of a deeply contentious and ongoing conflict.