New Film Alleges AI Targets Civilians in Gaza, Israel Rejects Claims
A new documentary film has created strong reactions after its premiere in Venice. The film, named “NAZA,” claims Israel uses artificial intelligence to target civilians in Gaza. The Israeli military has strongly denied these allegations. It said on Friday that it “categorically rejects” the film’s claims.
The 80-minute documentary received a 25-minute standing ovation at its Venice premiere. Oscar-winning Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor made the film. Mr. Abraham told reporters that their goal was to understand how the killing systems in Gaza operated.
“NAZA” uses interviews with 24 former Israeli military or intelligence officials. These individuals spoke anonymously. They described their work as feeling like a “killing factory” or a “lethal video game.” The film’s name, “NAZA,” is a term used by Israeli intelligence. It refers to the expected number of civilians killed in an airstrike.
The film details an AI system called “Lavender.” This system was used to find people for targeted killings. “Lavender” collected information from widespread surveillance in Gaza. It monitored phone calls, movements, and online interactions to identify targets.
Interviewees described homes being systematically destroyed. They spoke of a disregard for war laws. They also mentioned a “general atmosphere” of “hatred” toward Palestinians. One person involved in identifying targets said it was “like a video game.” Another described it as “insanely fun.”
The Israeli military criticized the use of anonymous sources in the film. It stated that the identities of the whistleblowers could not be confirmed. The military also said the claims about national strategy were beyond what junior soldiers would know. It added that humans, not artificial intelligence, make strike decisions. The military targets “terrorist organizations,” like Hamas. It follows international law and tries to “minimise harm to civilians.”
Gaza’s health ministry, run by Hamas, states that at least 73,658 Palestinians have died since October 2023. The United Nations considers these figures reliable. On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants attacked Israel. This attack led to the deaths of 1,221 people, according to Israeli figures. Health officials in Gaza also report that over 1,350 Palestinians have died there after efforts for a US-backed ceasefire.
