IDF Slams 'Distorted and Manipulative' Gaza War Documentary

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has issued a sharp rebuttal to the documentary "Nez'a" (Incidental Damage), criticizing it as a "distorted, misleading, and unrealistic" portrayal of its operations in Gaza. The film, by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Shor, which has gained international attention after winning an award at the Venice Film Festival, is based on testimonies from 24 Israeli soldiers and intelligence personnel. It alleges problematic targeting processes, the use of artificial intelligence in selecting targets, and significant civilian casualties.

The IDF vehemently denies the film's central claims. The military asserts that artificial intelligence does not independently select targets; instead, intelligence officers identify targets, and operational commanders make the final strike decisions. Regarding the "Lavender" system mentioned in the film, the IDF states it is a database assisting intelligence analysts, not an approved target list.

The IDF specifically refutes the film's assertion that any strike was planned or approved with an expected death toll of 500 civilians or close to that number. They also deny claims of quotas for civilian risk based on the importance of a targeted individual. The military argues that many interviewees in the film were involved only in preliminary stages of intelligence work and not the full process of planning and approving strikes.

Furthermore, the IDF accuses the filmmakers of manipulative editing and drawing inappropriate historical parallels to imply malicious intent. The military also contends that the film fails to adequately address the context of the October 7th Hamas attack, Hamas operating within civilian populations, and the IDF's measures to minimize civilian harm. The IDF explained that "Nez'a," meaning "incidental damage," is a professional term used to assess expected civilian harm before an attack, and argues the film misrepresents this mechanism as indifference.

The IDF stated that the filmmakers did not submit their claims for review before publication or provide a copy of the film afterward, despite requests. While the IDF maintains it is open to honest criticism and investigates alleged violations of law or orders, it dismisses "Nez'a" as a simplistic manifesto driven by a clear agenda.