The documentary NAZA, directed by Israeli filmmakers Rachel Szor and Yuval Abraham and produced by, offers a detailed examination of the systemic processes behind military operations in Gaza. The film centers on the accounts of 24 anonymized military and intelligence personnel who were involved in the remote targeting of residential structures. Rather than focusing solely on individual psychology, the project investigates the bureaucratic and technological framework that facilitates these actions.
Currently competing for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, the film follows the directors’ previous work, the Oscar-winning 2024 documentary No Other Land, which explored Palestinian resistance in the West Bank. Reflecting on their previous project, Abraham noted that it documented significant crimes. In the context of the current conflict, the Gaza health ministry has reported over 73,000 deaths during three years of bombardment, with the majority identified as civilians.
The film contrasts the reality of the conflict with the atmosphere of Tel Aviv, located 44 miles from the front lines, where daily life continues in a relatively undisturbed manner. The filmmakers describe a system characterized by remote operations, where artificial intelligence assists in target selection and drones are utilized for strikes. Abraham noted that the ease of operating via screens is a factor, though he emphasized that intelligence officers often possess significant awareness of their targets, including the presence of children in homes.
Regarding the motivations of the 24 sources, Abraham explained that there is a variety of statuses and reasons for speaking out. While some may feel guilt, others may view their work with pride or professional accomplishment. The film suggests that many of these individuals are products of the Tel Aviv middle class, possessing high levels of education and intelligence. Some sources discussed their roles in the past tense, while others appeared to be currently active in overseeing airstrikes.
The production of NAZA has placed the filmmakers in a precarious position within the current political climate in Israel. Abraham, who faced harassment from a right-wing mob following the release of No Other Land in Berlin, acknowledged the personal risks involved. He noted that while he and Szor operate from a position of relative privilege within the Israeli system, the professional and social consequences of their work are significant. Szor, who maintains a lower public profile, mentioned that her work has caused friction with some family members.
The film features accounts of soldiers describing their experiences, including one individual who recalled the act of firing on people near a food distribution center. Another source reflected on how their childhood education regarding the Holocaust influenced their perspective on current events. During a press conference in Venice, the directors addressed questions regarding parallels between historical atrocities and the current situation in Gaza, noting that such comparisons were raised by the participants themselves.
Critical reception has been strong, with Variety describing the film as a devastating exposé of systematic mass slaughter, and The Hollywood Reporter highlighting its potential to provoke profound public and political reaction. The film’s revelations have drawn sharp criticism from the Israeli military, which stated on Friday that it categorically rejects the allegations. The IDF further criticized the use of anonymous testimonies, claiming they cannot be verified, and maintained that it makes unprecedented efforts to minimize harm to civilians during its operations in Gaza. The report also notes that primarily, about the process, the system, the little links in the killing chain, but it is also. The report also notes that nAZA, we learn, is an acronym used by the intelligence service to indicate how many civilians it expects to die in an airstrike on Gaza. The report also notes that or in heavily populated neighbourhoods, too bad, the Israel Defense Forces prefer to target Hamas terrorists in their homes at night – and if they live with their family. The report also notes that at one point, a source claims, approval was given to kill 500 NAZA for one Hamas member. The report also notes that the pair won an Oscar for their previous documentary, 2024’s No Other Land (co-directed with Basel Adra and Hamdan Ballal), which spotlighted Palestinian resistance in the occupied West Bank. The report also notes that “But at the same time it gave people … I don’t want to say hope, but some light to latch on to. The report also notes that it’s not a coincidence that this film is all in the dark. The report also notes that we are in a very dark place right now.”.
