IDF Issues Unprecedented Rebuttal to Gaza Documentary 'NAZA'

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has released a rare, 17-page document strongly refuting the claims made in the documentary "NAZA," which alleges the IDF eased restrictions on harming civilians during operations in the Gaza Strip. The military asserts the film presents a "distorted, misleading, and unrealistic picture" of its attack procedures, based on "fundamental factual errors" and "anonymous testimonies."

The IDF contends that "NAZA" intentionally omits crucial planning, control, and approval stages of military operations, creating a false impression that the IDF acts inhumanely. The military argues that the filmmakers achieved this by distorting facts, removing necessary context, and employing emotional manipulation. The IDF also clarified that "NAZA," meaning incidental damage, is a standard international military term for assessing potential civilian harm, used to enable commanders to modify plans, add precautions, or cancel strikes to minimize civilian casualties.

The IDF criticized the filmmakers for not seeking official comment before release, failing to provide the film for review despite requests, and withholding details of the events depicted. Consequently, the IDF's response was based on public screenings, published materials, and statements from the filmmakers themselves. The military also addressed the use of anonymous testimonies, stating they only represent limited aspects of the attack process and that intelligence researchers are not the sole decision-makers, but part of a broader chain involving commanders, operational personnel, legal advisors, and others.

Regarding claims of approving strikes with expected high civilian casualties, the IDF stated it never planned or executed an attack in Gaza where 500 civilians were expected to be killed, and that figures like 200 casualties are not permissible limits but rather authority thresholds for approving strikes, with each case requiring individual review under international law. The IDF also denied claims that algorithms independently selected targets, explaining that AI tools are used solely for cross-referencing intelligence, with all targets identified and vetted by human intelligence researchers and personnel before operational approval.

Finally, the IDF addressed firing near humanitarian aid distribution centers, emphasizing that rules of engagement prohibit firing at civilians and that any reports of misconduct are investigated. Lessons have been learned, procedures updated, and measures taken to improve the operational environment in these areas. The military categorically rejected claims of "no uninvolved people in Gaza" and the definition of genocide, asserting that distinguishing between combatants and uninvolved civilians is a fundamental principle and that genocide claims are baseless. The IDF concluded that the film presents a false image of an army seeking to harm civilians, ignoring the processes in place to minimize civilian harm, such as canceling strikes and undergoing legal review.