Full Breakdown
NAZA — Inside Israel’s AI-Driven Targeting System, Premiered at Venice
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Core Event
On September 10, 2026 the documentary NAZA debuted in competition at the 83rd Venice Film Festival. Directed by Oscar-winning Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, the 80-minute film presents anonymised testimony from 24 Israeli military and intelligence insiders about AI-assisted targeting and remote bombing used in Gaza since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. The premiere generated a record-breaking standing ovation lasting roughly 25 minutes.
Background & Context
The Gaza conflict erupted after the October 7, 2023 assault that killed ? 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages. Israel’s subsequent campaign, launched October 27 2023, has been documented by +972 Magazine, Local Call and The Guardian. Abraham and Szor previously co-directed No Other Land, the 2025 Academy Award-winning documentary on demolition policies in the West Bank. NAZA shifts focus to the “system of killing” operating from Tel Aviv rooftops.
Data & Statistics
- 24 military or intelligence officers were interviewed, their faces and voices digitally altered.
- The title derives from the Hebrew acronym NAZA (“Nezek Agavi”), a shorthand for the number of civilians expected to be killed in a strike.
- Gaza’s Health Ministry reports more than 73,000 Palestinian deaths and ? 174,000 injuries; a 2025 UN assessment places the toll at 73,670.
- The standing ovation lasted about 25 minutes, surpassing the previous Venice record of 22 minutes.
Official Statements & Responses
Szor said the filmmakers wanted to contrast daily life in Tel Aviv with the devastation ? 60 km away. Producer James Wilson dismissed accusations that criticism of Israeli policy is antisemitic, rejecting any link between Judaism and the government’s actions.
Criticism & Opposition
Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett condemned the documentary as “a horrific blood libel,” accusing the filmmakers of spreading false genocide claims and unfairly maligning Israeli soldiers.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Casualty figures differ among sources: the Gaza Health Ministry (? 73,000), the Hamas-run ministry (73,500), and the UN tally (73,670). No independent verification of the specific AI systems described (e.g., “Lavender”) is provided within the documentary.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We show in our film a targeting system that is, by design, targeting people in civilian spaces, in their family homes,” — Yuval Abraham, AFP reporter
- “The mass surveillance is directly related to the mass killing,” — Yuval Abraham, AFP reporter
What’s Next
- September 23 2026 – Screening at the San Sebastián International Film Festival (Spain).
- September 26 2026 – Screening at the New York Film Festival.
- September 12 2026 – The Venice jury will announce the Golden Lion winner, for which NAZA is a contender.
The film’s release has intensified debate over Israel’s use of AI-driven targeting and the ethical responsibilities of militaries employing such technology.
