The documentary NAZA will be released for free on the Guardian’s website in early December, following a global theatrical run that has reached more than 1.5 million viewers.
The film, which examines the use of AI-based systems in military targeting during the war in Gaza, has become one of the most-watched documentary films with a theatrical release in 2026, according to The Guardian.
Testimony on military surveillance
The film features interviews with 24 Israeli military intelligence officers and soldiers who describe the use of automated systems to identify potential Hamas operatives. Interviewees claim these individuals were targeted for strikes in their homes at night, even when commanders knew the attacks would result in civilian casualties.
The Guardian reported that these conversations took place under the cloak of night on Tel Aviv rooftops, with participants demanding anonymity because of the dangers tied to going public. The movie’s moniker stems from an Israeli military abbreviation utilized as a mild term for non-combatants anticipated to perish during an armed assault.
NAZA wins awards despite facing criticism
NAZA has received significant international attention, winning the special jury prize at the Venice film festival in September and the best political documentary award from the Critics Choice Association in November. The New York Times described the work as “tough to watch, and impossible to ignore,” while the Financial Times said that “journalism and film-making brilliantly entwine.”
However, the film has also faced criticism. CAMERA UK argued that the production omits context regarding Hamas’ actions and relies on anonymous sources that cannot be independently verified. The IDF rejects those allegations and insists that decisions to approve strikes are made by human personnel, not artificial intelligence.
Government and public backlash
The Israeli government has strongly condemned the filmmakers, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor. As reported by The Guardian, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded that the attorney general and Shin Bet chief uncover the identities of the featured interviewees and pursue criminal charges against them for generating harm to Israel’s diplomatic and security interests.
Netanyahu has also threatened to strip Abraham and Szor of their citizenship, while the Israeli military’s chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, said the military would use “every tool at our disposal” against the film.
Misleading online projects
An online project titled NAZA: The Real Story has emerged. At first, the alternative project’s website deceptively posed as an official promotional hub for NAZA, attributing direction to Abraham and Szor while cataloging film festivals slated to screen the documentary.
The site now functions as a portal for the competing picture, which has received backing and promotion from various Israeli embassies. Ariel Averbuch, an Israeli attorney and army reservist who co-created NAZA: The Real Story, described it as an “offensive move” to shift the world’s focus from allegations about the Israeli military’s killing of civilians.
Questions regarding the film
How can viewers watch the film?
The film will be released in full on the Guardian’s website for free in early December. People wishing to watch can register to receive an alert regarding the precise release date as well as a direct link to view the production the moment it goes online.
Has the film been shown in Israel?
What is the distinction between the film and the "Real Story" website?
The documentary is the work of directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor. The website nazadocumentary.com is a platform for the rival film, which has been promoted by Israeli embassies.
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