The documentary draws on 24 anonymous Israeli sources accusing the army of killing Palestinians in Gaza using AI systems.
Published on October 12, 2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for an investigation into anonymous sources featured in a documentary alleging that the Israeli military killed civilians in Gaza using AI-powered targeting systems.
The award-winning film, NAZA, is based on the testimony of 24 anonymous Israeli military whistleblowers accusing the army of using these systems to kill numerous civilians in the besieged territory.
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“I demand that the chief of staff, the head of the Shin Bet and the attorney general launch a thorough investigation into the participants in the film “Naza” and prosecute them for serious violations of information security, criminal defamation and harm to Israel’s diplomatic and security interests,” Netanyahu said on X on Saturday evening.
“The film presents a false, misleading and biased narrative that defames the State of Israel and (the Israeli military) internationally, seriously damaging Israel’s reputation,” he added.
In a statement last month, the Israeli military said it “categorically” rejected the whistleblowers’ allegations, calling some of their claims “absurd” and contradictory.
He insisted that selection and approval of strikes “is carried out only by human personnel,” in accordance with military guidelines.
Israeli army chief of staff Eyal Zamir called for legal action to be considered against the participants and ordered an investigation into alleged leaks of classified military information used in the film’s production.
NAZA takes its name from the Israeli military term for expected civilian casualties in airstrikes, a shortened form of the Hebrew phrase meaning “collateral damage.”
The film received a special jury prize at the Venice International Film Festival and received a historic 25-minute standing ovation.
It also sparked a political storm in Israel.
The film’s directors, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, were accused of “treason.” Netanyahu and Culture Minister Miki Zohar have threatened to revoke their Israeli citizenship.
Last week, the head of Israel’s National Directorate of Public Diplomacy, Tzipi Hotovely, awarded the creators of another film, NAZA: The Real Story, certificates of recognition for combatting the “blood libel” committed in the original NAZA film.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, NAZA: The Real Story features testimonies from soldiers refuting the initial claims.
In contrast, 43 Israeli rights groups defended NAZA filmmakers and denounced threats against them, according to Israel’s Channel 12.
Israel’s genocidal war against Gaza began on October 7, 2023, after Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, and other Palestinian groups attacked southern Israel, killing 1,139 people and taking approximately 240 prisoners.
Since then, Israel has killed at least 74,000 Palestinians, including at least 21,000 children, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
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