Israeli Journalist Questions Gaza War Film's Evidence

Israeli journalist Raviv Drucker has expressed reservations about the documentary film "N.Z.A.," which presents testimonies regarding the IDF's operations in the Gaza Strip. In an article published in the newspaper Haaretz, Drucker stated that while the film deeply affected him, he criticized the lack of specific details provided to verify the accounts.

Drucker specifically pointed to anonymous testimonies as a major issue, arguing that presenting "such difficult testimonies without any factual detail to hang onto for verification" is problematic. He noted that soldiers in the film describe being part of a "machine that intentionally killed thousands of innocent Gazans," yet the testimonies lack dates, locations, or even a single verifiable incident. Drucker warned that the mere absence of lies does not guarantee the accuracy of human memory, recalling a past investigation into "Breaking the Silence" testimonies where he found some to be unfounded.

He also criticized the film's editing, which he believes connects testimonies in a way that creates a misleading impression. Drucker questioned whether a soldier's comment about enjoying his work was actually about his satisfaction in harming Hamas, rather than a sadistic pleasure in killing civilians. The journalist also addressed the film's portrayal of Hamas's use of human shields, stating that there is ample evidence of this practice, including Hamas embedding infrastructure and command centers in schools and hospitals. He found it illogical not to address this context.

Drucker further highlighted that Hamas and Islamic Jihad have recently published lists of their operatives killed in IDF attacks, individuals who were then presented in international media as athletes, journalists, and teachers. He explicitly doubted a central claim in the film alleging that the air force attacked buildings in neighborhoods where an estimated 25% of residents had not evacuated, leading to the destruction of parts of neighborhoods and the deaths of hundreds or thousands. "I don't know about this, to the best of my knowledge, it also didn't happen," Drucker wrote.