A new documentary revealing accounts from Israeli soldiers and intelligence officers about military operations in Gaza has sparked significant controversy. The film features interviews with 24 members of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) who describe their involvement in actions resulting in substantial Palestinian civilian casualties.
Directed by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, the documentary follows their previous work documenting destruction in the occupied West Bank. The current film presents testimonies from personnel who candidly discuss the IDF’s willingness to accept the death of large numbers of Palestinian civilians in order to target Hamas fighters. According to the film, soldiers describe the demolition of entire neighborhoods and the killing of civilians as routine and, in some instances, as a source of perverse satisfaction.
The testimonies suggest that military strategy permits collateral damage at a scale described as “extraordinary,” with one soldier reportedly stating approval for killing up to 500 Palestinian civilians if it might lead to the death of a single Hamas member. The soldiers also reflect on their motivation, shaped by the October 7, 2023, attacks when over 1,100 Israelis, including more than 800 civilians, were killed by Hamas militants. Several interviewees express a desire for retribution linked to those attacks, contributing to heightened tensions during the ongoing conflict.
The film, which was shot during nighttime on a rooftop with the interviewees obscured by darkness, aims to convey the emotional intensity and secrecy surrounding these military actions. Its release has drawn strong criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who described it as “intolerable” antisemitism. Conversely, it received recognition at the Venice Film Festival, where it was honored with a Special Jury Prize.
The Gaza Health Ministry reports that more than 74,000 Palestinians have died since the start of the conflict on October 7, 2023, a figure that underscores the devastating human toll amid ongoing hostilities. The documentary brings to the forefront the personal accounts of soldiers involved in these operations, offering a rare and unsettling insight into the realities behind the headlines.
The film’s release continues to fuel debate regarding the ethics and consequences of military tactics employed by the IDF in Gaza as the broader conflict persists.