Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned a newly released documentary that alleges the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) routinely factored in mass civilian casualties during military operations in Gaza. Speaking on September 14, Netanyahu described the film as part of a broader wave of global incitement against Jews, expressing particular indignation that the criticism comes from within Israel.
The documentary, titled *NAZA*—a military term referring to anticipated collateral damage—was directed by Israeli journalists Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor. It premiered on September 10 and won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival on September 12, where it received a 25-minute standing ovation. The film is based on anonymous interviews with intelligence officers and soldiers involved in the 2023 conflict in Gaza, focusing on decisions that allegedly led to high civilian casualties.
Netanyahu characterized the film as “shocking,” emphasizing that it portrays the IDF as war criminals and accusing the filmmakers of contributing to anti-Semitic sentiment. “We are fighting global anti-Semitic incitement, and when it comes from within us it is intolerable,” he said in a video posted on Telegram.
Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir also criticized the documentary, stating that it was not a genuine critique but rather contained “blood libels” and “deliberate distortions” aimed at soldiers and commanders. Zamir said the film constitutes an attack on Israel itself and announced that the Military Advocate-General has been instructed to explore legal actions related to the film and its creators.
The filmmakers have not responded publicly to the military’s statements. However, director Yuval Abraham, during the acceptance speech at Venice, asserted that the denial of crimes allows them to continue and stressed the importance of Israeli audiences seeing the film, acknowledging that these actions are carried out by their own country.
The conflict in Gaza escalated dramatically following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians. Since then, Gaza health authorities report that over 73,000 Palestinians, the majority civilians, have died amid Israel’s military operations, which have devastated much of the territory.
Israel maintains that it takes extensive precautions to minimize civilian harm while targeting Hamas militants who are often embedded within civilian infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, and shelters. Hamas denies accusations that it uses the civilian population as human shields.
The documentary *NAZA* adds a contentious chapter to the ongoing dispute over the conduct and consequences of the 2023 conflict, reflecting deep divisions within Israeli society and the broader international debate over the war in Gaza.