Documentary "Incidental Damage" Sparks Debate on Gaza Civilian Casualties

A new documentary, "Incidental Damage," by Yuval Avraham and Rachel Shor, which won an award at the Venice Film Festival, is examining the terminology used to describe civilian casualties in Gaza. The film features anonymous testimonies from 24 soldiers and intelligence officers who served in Gaza, focusing on the information gathering, target selection, and assessment of potential civilian harm that precedes bombings. The filmmakers argue that the term "incidental damage" sanitizes the reality of civilian deaths and the destruction of homes and families.

The documentary has already faced criticism in Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling for the filmmakers' citizenship to be revoked, accusing them of harming IDF soldiers. The article suggests this reaction is politically motivated, aimed at deflecting from government failures and rallying support by labeling critics as "traitors." Despite the controversy, the article notes that few substantive responses have been offered to the film's claims, and some official statements appear to corroborate its points. For instance, Israeli estimates suggest about one-third of Gaza casualties are Hamas fighters, implying the remaining two-thirds are "incidental damage." Defense Minister Israel Katz's statement about a "security zone cleared of residents and homes" covering 70% of Gaza is also cited as evidence of the detachment inherent in such terminology.

The article contrasts the film's perspective with the observations of French historian Jean-Pierre Filiu, who visited Gaza in December 2024. Filiu describes widespread destruction, comparing it to Dante's Inferno, with 87% of residential buildings damaged and over 80% of businesses destroyed. He highlights personal stories of loss, displacement, and extreme hardship, including the death of a three-week-old infant from hypothermia in a tent. Filiu's account underscores the human cost behind the statistics, detailing the collapse of basic living conditions, including severe water shortages and the deterioration of the healthcare system, with thousands of dialysis and cancer patients losing access to treatment.

Ultimately, the article posits that while the film dissects the decision-making process, Filiu's testimony reveals the devastating human consequences. It argues that the sterile language of "incidental damage" allows for a psychological and moral distance from the reality of loss, destruction, and suffering in Gaza. The piece concludes that regardless of political reactions or attempts to ignore the issue, Israeli society remains responsible for the consequences of its actions, and the suffering endured in Gaza cannot be erased.