A documentary titled “NAZA,” directed by Israeli journalists Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, reveals that mass civilian deaths were systematically included in Israeli military strategies in Gaza. The title refers to an Israeli military term for expected “collateral casualties.” The film features accounts from intelligence officers and soldiers involved in the conflict, with one officer stating there was “mass killing on an industrial scale.”
The documentary suggests that Israeli military operations resulted in significant civilian casualties, with Gaza health authorities reporting over 73,000 Palestinian deaths since the conflict escalated following a Hamas attack in October 2023. While Israel claims to have taken measures to avoid harming civilians and accuses Hamas of using them as human shields, the film presents a different narrative. Abraham has stated that their film shows a targeting system designed to strike civilian areas.
According to the interviewed officers, an AI-assisted system targets civilians based on data from hacked mobile phones, with examples of seemingly innocent phrases, such as “daddy’s home,” triggering airstrikes. Civilians have also been killed in zones marked as no-go areas, which were not communicated to residents.
The documentary draws historical parallels between the current situation and the Holocaust, emphasizing a need for a broader understanding of dehumanization. It portrays the contrast between life in Tel Aviv and the destruction in Gaza and notes that many Israelis lack empathy for Palestinian civilians. The officers featured in the film, some of whom identify as left-leaning, are depicted as responsible for the violence. Abraham expressed skepticism that there would be justice for the civilian deaths without international pressure. “NAZA” is competing for the Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival.
With information from Reuters
