IDF Chief of Staff Orders Probe into AI Targeting Film, Potential Leaks

The Israeli military has requested the Shin Bet's assistance in investigating the documentary film "Nezah," which features testimonies from Israeli officers and soldiers regarding the use of artificial intelligence in targeting civilians during the Gaza war. The film has sparked international controversy.

According to "Yedioth Ahronoth," the Shin Bet has not yet been involved in such an investigation, awaiting a formal directive following decisions by the Military Advocate General, Itai Ofir, and the Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has ordered several steps, including exploring legal actions against the film's creators, investigating potential leaks of classified information, and forming a team with security agencies to counter the film's content.

The film documents testimonies from 24 soldiers from Unit 8200, detailing the use of AI to bomb civilian homes in Gaza under the "collateral damage" policy. Zamir has instructed military intelligence, the military prosecution, and the air force to identify the soldiers who provided testimonies and determine if they are active or reserve duty personnel.

The Military Advocate General stated that if no information security violations or leaks of secrets occurred, there would be no legal basis to prosecute the soldiers. Disciplinary action could be taken if soldiers acted against army orders. The Shin Bet inquired with the IDF's Information Security Department about potential investigations, but the department indicated no criminal investigation had been opened as the film's content and participants were not yet fully known.

Senior officers have criticized Zamir's public statements before viewing the film, arguing that such high-level intervention in a primarily media-related event could be counterproductive. They expressed concern that public expectations, coupled with the possibility that some testimonies are accurate, could further erode public trust in the IDF and Zamir.

Separately, Israeli Minister of Culture and Sports Miki Zohar has asked the Shin Bet chief to investigate the source of information used in "Nezah" and the circumstances under which it reached directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Shore. Zohar cited this as a precursor to potentially revoking the directors' citizenship, seeking to determine if classified information was illegally used or if hostile entities, including Hamas, were involved in transferring the data.