'NAZA' documentary reveals Israel's secret killing systems in Gaza
What's the story
A new documentary film, NAZA, has unveiled the secret systems used by the Israeli military in its war on Gaza. The film features testimonies from 24 Israeli military insiders who were involved in surveillance and remote killings of Palestinian civilians. Directed by Oscar-winning Israeli directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, it was screened at the Venice International Film Festival on Thursday as the only documentary competing for its prestigious Golden Lion award.
Film insights
Title of the film has military significance
The film's title, NAZA, is an Israeli military acronym used to refer to civilians who are expected to be killed in a military attack.
The documentary features extensive testimonies from Israeli intelligence officers and soldiers involved in the surveillance and remote killing of Palestinian civilians.
Interviews were conducted at night on rooftops in Tel Aviv under anonymity due to the risks associated with speaking publicly about Israel's war activities.
Revelations
AI used to identify low-ranking Hamas targets
The documentary reveals the use of AI-based systems by the Israeli military to identify potential low-ranking Hamas targets.
These individuals were then bombed in their homes at night, knowing that the attacks would also kill their families.
The military also hacked into phones to locate these targets and eavesdropped on conversations with their wives and children just moments before they were killed.
The film depicts the destruction of neighborhoods where up to 25% of residents were still sheltering.
Director's statement
Directors speak on their documentary
The directors, Abraham and Szor, said in their statement, "We made this film out of a sense of obligation to use our position as Israeli filmmakers and journalists to examine the systems behind the mass killing of Palestinian civilians for which our country is responsible."
They emphasized that the focus was not on "sporadic war crimes committed by rogue soldiers" but on "the orders themselves, the policies, the accepted practices."
Film success
'NAZA' builds on earlier revelations published in various outlets
NAZA builds on revelations first published by the Israeli-Palestinian publication +972 Magazine, Hebrew-language outlet Local Call, and The Guardian between 2023 and 2025.
It was filmed and produced under tight security due to the risk to confidential journalistic sources.
The documentary received a nearly 25-minute standing ovation after its screening at Venice, a record for length of applause not just at Venice but at any major film festival, according to Variety.