A documentary presenting accounts from Israeli soldiers and officers about the killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza has garnered international acclaim but provoked sharp criticism within Israel. The film, titled “NAZA,” debuted last week at the Venice International Film Festival, where it received a standing ovation and was awarded the Special Jury Prize.
Directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, the 80-minute film features interviews with 24 individuals described as Israeli intelligence officers and soldiers, who provide detailed testimonies about the military’s conduct in Gaza. The subjects remain anonymous, potentially exposing them to legal repercussions in Israel or abroad. The documentary explores what it describes as Israel’s “calculated mass killing of Palestinian civilians” and highlights shifts in military tactics, including a loosening of targeting constraints and the increased use of artificial intelligence-assisted mass surveillance.
The release comes nearly three years after the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which triggered the ongoing conflict in Gaza and resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and additional hostages held by militants. While many Israelis view themselves primarily as victims of that attack and broadly support the military’s response, the documentary challenges this narrative by raising questions about civilian casualties resulting from Israeli operations.
The Israeli military has strongly denounced the film. Military Chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir denounced it as “based on blood libels” and “deliberate distortions of reality,” announcing consultations with senior officers about potential legal action against individuals accused of spreading false information or revealing classified material. Israeli authorities are reportedly considering measures against the filmmakers, including calls from Culture Minister Miki Zohar to investigate the possibility of revoking the directors’ citizenship on grounds of “betraying the state of Israel.”
The military also disputes specific allegations made in the documentary. In one instance, the film claims Israeli strikes killed dozens or even hundreds of civilians in single operations, including one strike allegedly authorized to kill up to 500. The military rejected this, stating it “never planned, approved or carried out a strike in Gaza in which 500 civilians or anything near that number were anticipated to be killed,” and asserted that its actions comply with international law.
Beyond official military criticism, the documentary has sparked debate within Israel’s broader political landscape. Former military chief and centrist political figure Gadi Eisenkot, who lost a son in the Gaza conflict, criticized the film for presenting a “distorted” account and accused its creators of “moral blindness” and detachment from the realities faced by soldiers. He stated that while criticism is part of a healthy democracy, he condemned what he called attempts to “smear the good name” of Israeli soldiers to gain international acclaim.
Despite the domestic backlash, Abraham has defended the film, urging Israeli audiences to view it and engage with its content. He emphasized the importance of societal awareness about military conduct and noted that the soldiers featured spoke in Hebrew to directly communicate with the Israeli public.
The controversy unfolds amid a politically charged atmosphere as Israel prepares for national elections in October. Public opinion remains deeply divided, with most Israelis supporting the war effort as a necessary act of self-defense, while international observers and human rights groups continue to raise concerns over the scale of civilian casualties and alleged violations of international law in Gaza. The full documentary has yet to be publicly screened within Israel, though its impact is already resonating across political and military circles.