NAZA Documentary Exposes Gaza War Claims at Venice
Key developments:
- NAZA features testimony from 24 Israeli military insiders.
- Film examines alleged systems behind civilian deaths in Gaza.
VENICE (Vulture) — September 11, 2026: A new documentary by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor has brought testimony from Israeli military insiders about the conduct of the Gaza war to the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, where NAZA premiered on September 10.
The 80-minute documentary, which is the only documentary feature competing for the Golden Lion, was filmed at night on rooftops in Tel Aviv and features 24 Israeli intelligence officers and soldiers whose identities were concealed. The film examines what its makers describe as systems used by the Israeli military to identify targets and conduct strikes in Gaza. The Venice Biennale’s official synopsis describes the film as examining systems behind what it calls Israel’s calculated mass killing of Palestinian civilians.
Nicole Kidman Recalls Feeling ‘Beyond Lonely’ After Oscar Win
PSX Under Pressure as Oil Prices Fuel Rate Hike Fears
Iranian Strike Reportedly Damages US Aircraft in Jordan
The film’s title refers to an Israeli military term that, according to the filmmakers and reporting about the documentary, is used to estimate the number of civilians who could be killed during an airstrike.
Abraham and Szor, who were two of the four directors of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, said they made NAZA to investigate the systems behind civilian deaths in Gaza. At a press conference in Venice, Abraham explained their approach: “We just told these officers and soldiers, please describe to us what you did.”
Director Yuval Abraham poses for photographers at the photo call for the film ‘Naza’ during the 83rd edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP).
The documentary‘s anonymous interviewees describe surveillance and targeting procedures, including the use of artificial intelligence and information gathered from mobile phones. According to their testimonies, such systems could be used to identify suspected Hamas members and determine potential targets, even when civilians were present.
Pakistan Petrol Price Hits Rs370.80 as Oil Market Tightens
Algeria Cuts Diplomatic Ties with UAE Amid Rising Regional Tensions
Seerat offers guidance on workers’ rights and economic justice, Rana Shamshad
One interviewee is quoted in the film as saying, “There are not many military targets in Gaza, but there are thousands of homes,” while another describes the remote nature of the operations by saying, “It was like a video game. Everything was done remotely.”
The film also examines claims that Israeli military personnel were aware of the potential civilian toll of strikes. Some interviewees describe attacks on buildings containing large numbers of people while targeting individuals they believed were affiliated with Hamas.
Israel caused famine-like conditions due its blockade on supplies last year, according to Palestinian journalists and rights groups. © Eyad Baba, AFP.
Reuters reported that the documentary includes testimony alleging that civilian casualties were sometimes treated as an accepted consequence of targeting operations. The report also said interviewees described an AI-assisted system and surveillance methods involving hacked mobile phones.
PMML calls for stronger local governments, new administrative units
Fake Fire Extinguishers Exposed at PIMS After Newborn Tragedy
Rawalpindi Seals 594 Premises, Registers 2,223 Dengue FIRs
Szor said there was value in presenting previously reported information through direct testimony from people involved in the systems. “It’s different to hear, actually, the people who designed and operated those systems talk about it in front of a camera,” she said at the Venice press conference.
The filmmakers acknowledge that many of the issues examined in NAZA had already been reported by The Guardian, +972 Magazine and the Hebrew-language publication Local Call. The documentary therefore focuses less on introducing entirely new allegations and more on presenting testimony from people who say they were directly involved in Israel’s military and intelligence operations.
Israel’s bombardment of Gaza has left around 73,500 Palestinians dead since October 2023, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. © Jack Guez, AFP.
The film also contrasts the ordinary urban life of Tel Aviv with the destruction described in Gaza. Several interviewees reflect on their experiences operating surveillance and military systems from Israel while observing the consequences of strikes remotely.
Andrew Garfield faces Backlash over “Billionaire” Comments
Mir Raza Case: Zia Lanjar Apologises to Judicial Commission
Apple unveils its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, at the ‘Surprise and Shine’ event
According to the filmmakers, the documentary also explores Israel’s extensive surveillance infrastructure in Gaza and claims that military personnel could obtain detailed information about buildings, residents and individual households.
Rachel Szor and Yuval Abraham took nearly three years to make their film “NAZA”. © Stefano Rellandini, AFP.
The film contains little graphic footage, instead relying largely on interviews and the accounts of former or current military personnel. One interviewee reflects on the consequences of his actions after discussing the Holocaust, saying, “I still believe the Nazis were evil. What does that make me?”
The documentary received significant attention at Venice following its world premiere. Reuters reported that the screening was followed by a standing ovation lasting about 25 minutes. NAZA remains in competition for the festival’s Golden Lion.
Seerat of Holy Prophet (PBUH) offers guidance for Pakistan’s challenges, PMML leaders
Ayesha Omar praises Sania Saeed’s role in Aap Ki Izzat
Pakistan Invites Pilgrims for Hazrat Amir Khusro Urs in New Delhi
The Venice Biennale lists further public screening of NAZA for September 11, with Abraham and Szor credited as directors and The Guardian and JW Films listed among the production entities.
The filmmakers’ claims and the testimonies presented in NAZA form the central basis of the documentary. Israel has consistently said its military campaign in Gaza is directed against Hamas and has disputed allegations that it deliberately targets civilians, while Hamas has rejected Israeli claims that it operates from civilian areas. Reuters and AP both note these competing positions in their reporting on the film.
NAZA follows Abraham and Szor’s earlier work on No Other Land, which documented the destruction of Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank and won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2025.
Modi-Xi Bilateral Meeting Scheduled on Sidelines of BRICS Summit in New Delhi
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V Begins Seven-Day Visit to India
Trump Administration Suspends Indian Cognizant’s New Green Card Sponsorship Filings
96% of Russia-India Trade Now Conducted in Rupees and Roubles: Sberbank
World Physiotherapy Day 2026: Digital Care Expands Access
Hormonal History may Help Assess Heart Risk in Women
Asim Iftikhar Appointed as Pakistan’s New Foreign Secretary
Stay tuned to Baaghi TV for more. Download our app for the latest news, updates & uncensored content!
