Oscar-winning Israeli filmmakers’ documentary on Gaza war premieres at Venice Film Festival

VENICE, Italy - A groundbreaking documentary titled "NAZA" has its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, shedding light on the war in Gaza through the eyes of a group of 24 Israeli military insiders. The film, directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, who are also the creators of the Oscar-winning documentary "No Other Land," provides an unprecedented insight into the Israeli military's operations during the conflict.

Shot secretly over three years in Tel Aviv, the film's subjects have their identities obscured through digital alterations. The title "NAZA" refers to an Israeli military acronym used to denote civilian casualties, including men, women, and children. The film's subjects detail the military's surveillance systems and remote bombing techniques, which they claim use artificial intelligence to identify potential Hamas targets and bomb their homes, often knowing that families are inside.

The filmmakers emphasize the importance of their work in bearing witness to the ongoing civilian suffering in Gaza, which has seen over 73,422 Palestinian deaths according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The subjects' testimonies reveal a range of emotional responses, from remorse to indifference and pride, highlighting the complex nature of the Israeli military's actions.

The film's producers, The Guardian, and the makers of "The Zone of Interest," have chosen to focus on the victims rather than the subjects, inspired by Jonathan Glazer's approach in his film. By emphasizing the systemic nature of the Israeli military's actions, the filmmakers aim to demonstrate that the killing of Palestinians in Gaza is not a mistake or an accident, but a deliberate and ongoing policy.