IDF Rejects NAZA Film's Portrayal of Gaza Targeting Procedures

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have issued a comprehensive rebuttal to a film by NAZA, which they state distorts the process of selecting and approving targets in Gaza. The military asserts the film contains significant factual errors and misrepresents the work of military intelligence and attack approval mechanisms.

In its statement, the IDF clarified that its mandatory instructions clearly distinguish between terrorists and civilians, prohibiting strikes against non-combatants and requiring maximum efforts to minimize harm. The IDF denied ever planning or executing strikes where 500 or a similar number of civilians were expected to die, nor did they face serious claims of such casualties.

The military emphasized that artificial intelligence is never used to independently select targets. Target identification is solely performed by authorized intelligence officers, strike planning by professional units, and final approval rests with operational commanders. The IDF also refuted claims of automatic authorization for strikes based on predetermined civilian casualty numbers.

The IDF stated that 'Lavender' is a database for intelligence researchers, not a list of approved targets. They also denied that evacuation warnings grant permission to strike areas regardless of remaining civilians, and confirmed they investigate strike results, including unintended civilian harm, to learn lessons.

The IDF criticized the film's creators for not conducting sufficient fact-checking and verification, leading to errors. They explained that interviewees, presented as former intelligence personnel, often only had experience with initial intelligence phases, not the broader planning and approval process handled by operational units. The film also omitted key context, such as the reasons for the war, Hamas's tactics, and the IDF's extensive measures to reduce civilian harm, including warnings, munition selection, and humanitarian aid support.

The IDF accused the film of manipulative editing and historical comparisons to falsely portray the IDF as having malicious intent. They explained that 'NAZA' (collateral damage) is a standard professional term used by lawful armies to assess and minimize civilian harm, a process required by international law. The IDF acknowledged the moral burden on soldiers involved in strike decisions but stated this does not prove illegality or indifference, but rather the seriousness of the decisions.

Finally, the IDF stated that the film creators did not submit their claims for verification before publication or provide a copy of the film upon request, forcing the IDF to rely on secondary accounts. The IDF affirmed its commitment to international humanitarian law, its procedures to minimize civilian harm, and its accountability for failures, including investigations into alleged violations.