Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed the country’s attorney general and the head of the Shin Bet security agency to identify and prosecute soldiers and officers interviewed in the documentary NAZA, which alleges mass civilian killings by Israel in Gaza. Netanyahu requested urgent action to uncover the identities of those involved or appearing in what he described as a “libel film,” and called for criminal investigations addressing serious information security offenses, criminal defamation, and harm to Israel’s diplomatic and security interests.
NAZA, directed by Oscar-winning filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szoz and produced in collaboration with a major international newspaper, premiered last month at the Venice International Film Festival. It received the special jury prize and stood out for drawing an extended ovation. The film’s title refers to an acronym used by Israeli intelligence to denote the anticipated number of civilian casualties in airstrikes. Since its release, NAZA has been screened in cinemas worldwide and is scheduled to be shown in more than 50 countries.
The Israeli government has strongly condemned the film and its creators. Authorities have threatened to revoke the citizenship of the filmmakers, accusing them of treason. Supporters of the government have staged demonstrations targeting the filmmakers, including picketing the home of Rachel Szoz’s parents in Savyon with chants calling for harsh punishment against the directors.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir described the documentary as “an attack on the state of Israel,” accusing it of disseminating “lies and blood libels.” Zamir ordered military and legal officials to identify featured soldiers and consider possible legal repercussions. However, the military advocate general, Itai Ofir, noted that criminal prosecution would require concrete evidence of security breaches or unauthorized disclosure of classified information, while disciplinary measures could still be considered.
The filmmakers have previously drawn on extensive research, including over 100 interviews with sources familiar with the Israeli military’s Gaza operations, among them senior commanders involved in strike authorizations. The documentary builds on earlier investigative work published by both Hebrew- and English-language outlets between 2023 and 2025. A spokesperson for the film’s producers emphasized the rigor of their verification process, citing leaked classified documents and corroborated testimonies.
International journalistic organizations have condemned the Israeli government’s measures as intimidation attempts, emphasizing that protecting sources is a fundamental principle of press freedom protected under international human rights law. They argue that orders to reveal journalistic sources should only be granted under stringent conditions. Film industry leaders have also voiced strong solidarity with Abraham and Szoz, supporting their right to investigate sensitive topics without fear of reprisal.
In recent days, the Israeli government has promoted an online film project styled similarly to NAZA, which some critics view as an effort to challenge and divert attention from the allegations raised in the original documentary. Israeli attorney and army reservist Ariel Averbuch described this move as an attempt to shift global focus away from the claims of civilian casualties.
The unfolding controversy highlights the tensions between state security concerns, freedom of the press, and accountability over the conduct of military operations in Gaza.