IDF Chief of Staff Accuses Media of Smearing Military, Shin Bet Probes 'Naza' Film Testimonies

Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir stated that there are attempts to tarnish the image of the army and its commanders by disseminating false information and misleadingly presenting facts. He urged confronting these narratives in various forums, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the army's national and international mission to counter critics and affirm the military's commitment to values and international law. Zamir described the Israeli military as "the most moral army in the world" and stressed the need to reiterate this stance whenever soldiers and commanders face criticism.

In a related development, army officials have requested assistance from the Shin Bet security agency to investigate the "Naza" film. The film features testimonies from Israeli soldiers regarding army practices during the Gaza war. The investigation is reportedly focusing on the potential leaking of classified information for the film's production and identifying the soldiers who provided their accounts.

The "Naza" film, produced in collaboration with The Guardian newspaper, includes testimonies from 24 former soldiers of Unit 8200, an elite intelligence unit. The participants discuss army policies and procedures in Gaza, including the "collateral damage" policy, raid execution, assassinations, and the use of artificial intelligence. The film has sparked debate regarding the content of the testimonies, though no investigation results or potential actions have been detailed.

Zamir reiterated that Israel adheres to military values and international law, aiming to avoid harming innocent civilians. The Chief of Staff's remarks on criticism against the army coincide with the security probe into the film's testimonies, with the investigation prioritizing the source of information and the identities of the testifying soldiers.