IDF Rejects 'Accidental Damage' Film Claims as Baseless

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has issued a strong rebuttal to accusations presented in the film "Accidental Damage" (Nez'a), created by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor in collaboration with The Guardian. The IDF spokesperson stated that the film is based on anonymous testimonies that cannot be verified, raising questions about the identities and roles of the interviewees within the military.

The film, which won an award at the Venice Film Festival, details allegations regarding the IDF's conduct in the Gaza Strip, target selection processes, and civilian casualties during the fighting. It features testimonies from 24 individuals presented as Israeli soldiers and intelligence officers who claim to have served during the war.

The IDF categorically rejected these claims, asserting that the film relies on anonymous sources whose service, roles, and involvement in the alleged incidents are unconfirmed. The military also pointed out that some testimonies discuss national and military strategy, which would be beyond the knowledge of junior soldiers interviewed. Furthermore, the IDF stated that the film incorrectly attributes involvement in certain situations to intelligence personnel who, by their job description, would not have participated.

Additionally, the IDF noted the testimonies contain misinterpretations of legal terms by non-legal professionals and internal contradictions. As an example, the military cited claims that an unintentional harm during a lawful strike was deliberate or part of 'genocide,' arguing these terms were used without understanding their legal meaning. The IDF reiterated that its operations in Gaza are defensive, targeting terror organizations like Hamas in accordance with international law, and that it makes unprecedented efforts to minimize civilian harm while Hamas operates from civilian areas.

The IDF also addressed claims about the use of artificial intelligence in target selection, clarifying that all decisions are made by human personnel according to military directives, not AI. Separately, the film's Venice award sparked political reactions, with Culture Minister Miki Zohar calling the film "despicable" and suggesting action to revoke the creators' Israeli citizenship for alleged treason. Film co-creator Yuval Abraham urged critics to watch the film before judging it, emphasizing the importance of the soldiers' testimonies and expressing intent to distribute the film widely in Israel.