Documentary NAZA Exposes Israeli Military Tactics Behind Gaza Civilian Deaths

At the Venice International Film Festival, NAZA earned a 25-minute standing ovation and the Special Jury Prize, drawing attention to Israel’s alleged systematic extermination of Gaza civilians. Directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor present testimonies from 24 anonymous Israeli intelligence personnel, using a stark visual style that obscures faces and alters voices. The documentary alleges that the Israeli army employs AI-driven databases, such as Lavender, to label low-rank Hamas operatives, often resulting in thousands of civilian deaths deemed "collateral damage."

While the film has secured sales representation from mk2 films and is slated for release in Germany, the United States, and other markets, Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have demanded the revocation of the directors’ citizenship. The Israeli Film Council meanwhile pushes state-funded films glorifying its soldiers, highlighting the polarized cultural response. Critics compare NAZA’s testimony-only approach to Holocaust documentaries, emphasizing its challenge to the moral narrative of the Israeli state.