Israel's IDF Reserves Officer Analyzes Gaza War Information Campaign
A documentary titled 'NAZA' screened at the Venice Film Festival, focusing on the Gaza war, has sparked controversy and intensified the information war against Israel. The film's creators allege that the Israeli military deliberately allowed for mass civilian casualties during strike planning. Major (res.) Anna Ukolova, a reservist with the IDF Spokesperson's Unit, discussed the situation on "Vesti" studio, noting that anti-Israel propaganda has been systemic for decades, exploiting existing stereotypes. She observed that the film resonated more strongly within Israel than abroad, where it fit existing narratives. The military's response focused on addressing specific claims rather than critiquing the film itself, as they had not seen the full version. The primary goal of the army's clarifications was to bolster the confidence of Israeli citizens and soldiers operating in challenging, densely populated civilian areas.
Ukolova addressed a prominent myth suggesting that hundreds of civilian casualties were sanctioned to eliminate a single militant, and that the IDF relies blindly on artificial intelligence. She explained that strike approvals are strictly regulated. "There were no sanctions for strikes with hundreds of random casualties for the sake of one target," she stated. She also clarified that historical incidents, such as the explosion near Al-Ahli Hospital, were found to be misfired rockets from terrorist groups. All critical targets undergo thorough vetting by military legal advisors, and AI serves only a computational role, with officers making the final decisions. Strategic strikes require approval from the Chief of Staff and the political-military cabinet, with senior command personally overseeing operations on the front lines.
Addressing why Israel often appears to lose the information war, Ukolova identified a persistent problem: Israel's reactive, defensive posture. The military's operational security and censorship restrictions prevent timely intelligence disclosure for effective media responses. Politicians making populist statements further damage the country's image abroad. Ukolova advocates for a proactive strategy, urging Israel to move beyond constant defense by sharing soldiers' stories, presenting battlefield facts, and shaping its own narrative in advance.
