Overview
- NAZA, directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, won a Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival after a record-length standing ovation that propelled the film into the international spotlight.
- The filmmakers say the 80-minute documentary is built on interviews with 24 current and former Israeli military and intelligence figures who spoke on condition of anonymity and that reporting was done with The Guardian.
- Abraham and Szor allege the testimony and prior reporting show AI-assisted systems and institutional practices led to systematic targeting of civilians in Gaza rather than accidental harm.
- The Israeli military rejected the film's conclusions and criticised the use of anonymous sources as unverifiable, and the filmmakers say they have received threats since the Venice premiere and award.
- NAZA builds on earlier investigations, including 2024 reporting about an AI tool nicknamed 'Lavender', and the film's visibility increases the likelihood of wider distribution and further journalistic, legal, and political scrutiny of conduct in Gaza.