Venice Debuts ‘Naza’: Israeli Documentary on Gaza Home Targeting

Venice Premiere Draws International Attention

On Thursday, the Venice Film Festival showcased a late competition entry titled Naza. The film, created by Oscar winning Israeli directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, immediately became a focal point for critics, human rights groups and diplomatic observers.

The documentary is built on interviews with twenty four Israeli intelligence officers and soldiers who served in Gaza. Their testimonies form the backbone of a narrative that claims the Israeli military used artificial intelligence, phone monitoring and a point based scoring system to decide which structures would be bombed.

How the Documentary Was Assembled

Abraham and Szor spent three years gathering material. Their approach combined on‑the‑ground recordings, declassified documents and personal accounts from former operatives. The directors say they aimed to present a factual record rather than a partisan argument.

Key sources and verification methods

• Direct interviews with former intelligence analysts who oversaw target selection.
• Access to internal briefing papers obtained through legal channels.
• Cross‑checking of claims with public reports from the United Nations and independent watchdogs.

According to a statement released by the filmmakers, every claim in the film was verified against at least two independent sources.

Core Findings Presented in ‘Naza’

The documentary outlines a three step process used by the Israeli military in Gaza:

1. Collection of data from surveillance drones, signal intercepts and crowd sourced reports.
2. Assignment of a numeric score to each building based on perceived threat level.
3. Approval of strike orders once a threshold score is reached.

One former officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained that the system often classified residential blocks as high risk simply because of their proximity to known militant activity.

Illustrative examples

• A family home in the northern sector received a high score after a nearby phone call was linked to a suspected operative.
• Several apartments were listed for demolition after a drone identified a pattern of movement consistent with weapon storage, despite no physical evidence being found.

The film also highlights the role of commercial phone surveillance apps that were reportedly used to map civilian communications in real time.

Reactions From the International Community

Immediately after the screening, diplomats from the European Union issued a statement calling for an independent investigation into the allegations.

Human rights organizations have echoed the call. Human Rights Watch noted that the documentary adds “a new layer of evidence that warrants urgent scrutiny.”

Media outlets across the globe have begun reporting on the film. BBC News described the documentary as “a stark reminder of the human cost of modern warfare.” The Guardian highlighted the ethical questions raised by algorithmic targeting.

Implications for Military Ethics and International Law

The revelations in Naza intersect with ongoing debates about the legality of using automated systems in combat. International humanitarian law requires parties to distinguish between combatants and civilians, and to take all feasible precautions to avoid civilian harm.

Legal scholars argue that a point based scoring system could blur the line between legitimate targets and protected civilian structures. If a building is destroyed based on a probability score rather than concrete evidence, the principle of proportionality may be compromised.

Potential policy responses

• Calls for greater transparency in target selection algorithms.
• Recommendations for independent oversight bodies to review strike decisions.
• Advocacy for stricter compliance checks by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

United Nations officials have indicated that they will review the documentary’s claims in the context of recent reports on civilian casualties in Gaza. The UN has previously called for accountability measures when civilian homes are destroyed without clear justification.

What Audiences Can Expect From the Film

‘Naza’ combines stark visual footage with personal testimonies, creating a narrative that is both emotionally resonant and factually grounded. The directors have structured the film to allow viewers to follow the decision‑making process step by step.

Viewers will encounter:

• Firsthand accounts from soldiers describing the pressure to meet operational targets.
• Animated graphics that illustrate how data points feed into the scoring algorithm.
• On‑screen excerpts from official military briefings that reveal the language used to justify strikes.

Critics have praised the film’s balanced approach, noting that it does not shy away from the moral complexity of warfare while still presenting a clear evidentiary trail.

As the Venice Festival continues, Naza is expected to be a contender for several awards, and its impact may extend far beyond the cinema, influencing public discourse and policy debates worldwide.

The documentary serves as a reminder that the tools of modern conflict are evolving, and that transparency and accountability remain essential to protect civilian lives.