Israeli Documentary 'Naza' on Gaza Operations Premieres at Venice Film Festival

The documentary film "Naza," by Israeli directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Shor, premiered at the 83rd Venice Film Festival on September 10. The film is competing for the Golden Lion and is the sole documentary entry this year. Abraham and Shor were previously involved in "No Other Land," which won an Oscar for best documentary in 2025.

"Naza" derives its title from the Hebrew acronym for "collateral damage," referring to the assessment of civilian casualties during strikes targeting terrorists. The film draws on investigations by +972 Magazine, Sicha Mekomit, and The Guardian, published between 2023 and 2025. It features testimonies from 24 Israeli soldiers and intelligence personnel, whose identities are concealed through nighttime interviews on Tel Aviv rooftops with altered faces and voices.

The filmmakers assert that the interviewees discuss target selection systems in Gaza, including AI-based methods, phone tracking, and civilian casualty estimations during strikes. They claim the film addresses systemic principles and procedures in warfare, not isolated incidents.

"Naza" was produced by The Guardian with producer James Wilson and executive producer Jonathan Glazer. Venice Festival Artistic Director Alberto Barbera described the film as "politically explosive and cinematically extremely interesting."

Israeli authorities reject accusations of intentionally killing civilians, stating that operations in Gaza target terrorists who use civilian infrastructure for military purposes and that the IDF takes measures to minimize harm to civilians.