Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Demands Criminal Probe Into Award-Winning Gaza Documentary NAZA

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for an official investigation into the anonymous sources featured in a controversial documentary alleging that the Israeli military used AI-powered targeting systems to kill civilians in Gaza.

The award-winning film, NAZA, utilizes testimony from 24 unnamed Israeli military whistleblowers who accuse the army of relying on these systems to cause numerous casualties in the besieged territory.

In a statement posted on X, Benjamin Netanyahu stated: “I demand that the chief of general staff, the head of the Shin Bet, and the attorney general launch a comprehensive investigation into the participants in the film ‘Naza’ and prosecute them for serious information security violations, criminal libel, and harm to Israel’s diplomatic and security interests.” He further claimed the film presents a false and biased narrative that severely damages Israel's international standing.

The Israeli military previously rejected the whistleblowers' allegations, describing some assertions as absurd and contradictory while insisting that strike approvals are made exclusively by human personnel in accordance with military guidelines. Meanwhile, Israeli army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has ordered an investigation into suspected leaks of classified military information and called for legal action against the participants.

NAZA, named after the Israeli military term for civilian casualties expected in air strikes, received a special jury prize and a 25-minute standing ovation at the Venice International Film Festival. The documentary's directors, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, have faced intense backlash in Israel, including accusations of treason and threats from Benjamin Netanyahu and Culture Minister Miki Zohar to revoke their citizenship.

In response to the controversy, Tzipi Hotovely, head of Israel’s National Public Diplomacy Directorate, recently awarded certificates of recognition to the creators of a countering film titled NAZA: The Real Story, which features soldier testimonies refuting the original claims. Conversely, 43 Israeli rights groups have publicly defended the filmmakers of NAZA and condemned the threats directed at them, according to Channel 12 news.