Israeli Military Criticizes Documentary 'Nez'A' for Lacking Journalistic Standards

A new documentary titled 'Nez'A', which alleges that Israel intentionally killed tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians in Gaza using artificial intelligence and committed other war crimes, has faced significant criticism within Israel for its journalistic shortcomings. The film, produced with support from The Guardian, is accused of failing to independently verify its claims, omitting crucial context, and not providing the Israeli military (IDF) an opportunity to respond before its release.

The documentary, directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Shor, reportedly blends emotional storytelling with limited investigative journalism, relying heavily on Abraham's previous reporting for 'Local Call' and 'The Guardian'. Critics argue the film presents its allegations as fact without adequate substantiation or context, raising questions about the reliability of its sources. The IDF has previously refuted Abraham's reporting, citing a 'basic lack of military understanding'.

'Nez'A' focuses on allegations concerning the IDF's methods in Gaza, including alleged AI-driven surveillance, target generation, and pre-knowledge of civilian casualties. One central claim, highlighted in the film's trailer, suggests a planned attack on a single Hamas operative that was expected to kill 500 civilians. The IDF has vehemently denied this, calling it 'completely false' and stating that no such attack was ever planned or executed. The film also touches upon the destruction of neighborhoods and alleged Israeli efforts to thwart complaints at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

The documentary features 24 interviewees identified only as Israeli soldiers who allegedly participated in civilian killings, all speaking anonymously with distorted voices. Critics contend that their testimonies are often scattered and unrelated, rather than corroborating a single narrative. The film also faces accusations of mistranslation and editorial manipulation in its subtitles, which allegedly distort the speakers' original statements to amplify the allegations.

Specific technologies mentioned include 'Lavender', an AI system the film claims identified tens of thousands of Hamas operatives with a significant error rate, potentially leading to the deaths of innocent individuals. The IDF confirmed Lavender's existence but stated it is a multi-purpose database that organizes intelligence, not a targeting system, and does not serve as the sole basis for attack decisions. Another system, 'Where's Dad?', is described as identifying Hamas operatives at home for targeted strikes, with the film suggesting a preference for nighttime attacks. The IDF maintains that operational commanders, not technology, authorize strikes, and that targets are individually assessed.

Critics also point out that the film omits key details and context, such as the specific dates and locations of alleged incidents, and fails to provide independent verification. It presents the Gaza Health Ministry's reported death toll of 73,000 as fact without noting that the ministry is controlled by Hamas and does not differentiate between combatants and civilians. The IDF estimates around 50,000 civilian deaths, a figure the film omits. The documentary also draws comparisons between Israeli life and the destruction in Gaza, and includes a soldier's claim likening Israeli actions to those of the Nazis, which critics find highly problematic and lacking context.