Full Breakdown
NAZA Documentary Exposes Alleged Israeli Target-Selection System in Gaza
By Drooid · · How we work
Premiere at Venice Film Festival
The 80-minute documentary NAZA debuted on Thursday at the Venice International Film Festival, entering competition for the Golden Lion. Directed by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, the film was produced by *The Guardian* with James Wilson of JW Films and executive-produced by Jonathan Glazer. The directors, who previously co-directed *No Other Land*, filmed the interviews on Tel Aviv rooftops at night, digitally altering faces and voices to protect anonymity.
Background & Context
NAZA builds on investigative reporting published between 2023 and 2025 by +972 Magazine, the Hebrew-language site Local Call, and *The Guardian*. The reporting examined Israel’s military campaign in Gaza that began after the Hamas attacks of early October 2023. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, the war has caused tens of thousands of civilian deaths and widespread destruction of homes, prompting the filmmakers to document what they describe as a systematic targeting process.
Data & Statistics
- Gaza Health Ministry: more than 73,422 Palestinians killed and 174,500 injured.
- Al Jazeera: approximately 73,500 deaths and 174,500 wounded.
- The Guardian: over 73,000 fatalities and 174,000 injuries.
All three sources agree civilian casualties constitute a large share of the toll.
Official Statements & Responses
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement rejecting the film’s central allegation that Israel maintains a policy of deliberately killing civilians. The military described the AI-driven tools featured in the film as analytical aids for human analysts rather than autonomous weapons. The United Nations, cited in the film, warned that “they have to learn with blood,” underscoring humanitarian concerns.
Criticism & Opposition
Israeli officials dismissed the documentary’s claims as “out of context” and defended the IDF’s adherence to the laws of armed conflict. Some Israeli social-media users accused the filmmakers of “slandering Israel” and exploiting the tragedy for political purposes. Haggai Matar, executive director of +972 Magazine, said the testimonies are “every Israeli must hear,” while critics argued the film fuels anti-Israeli sentiment.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The documentary relies on anonymous testimonies from 24 former intelligence officers and soldiers, whose identities were concealed for safety. Independent verification of the alleged AI system—referred to as “Lavender”—has not been publicly confirmed. Moreover, casualty figures vary among the Gaza Health Ministry, Al Jazeera, and *The Guardian*, reflecting the difficulty of obtaining precise data in an active conflict zone.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We just told these officers and soldiers, please describe to us what you did,” — Yuval Abraham, NBC News
- “We felt that there is still some sort of importance to take those testimonies and put it in a film,” — Rachel Szor, NBC News
- “The killing of civilians in Gaza is ongoing,” — Yuval Abraham, NBC News
- “Our film is showing that the basic targeting unit of the Israeli targeting systems is a family home in Gaza,” — Yuval Abraham, Deadline
What’s Next
The Venice Festival will announce its award winners later this month. The filmmakers hope the exposure will influence international debate and prompt further scrutiny of Israel’s targeting practices.
