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Netanyahu Demands Investigation Into Gaza Film's Soldiers
Confirmed
In Short: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded a comprehensive investigation into the soldiers involved in the documentary 'NAZA', which accuses the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) of systematic mass civilian killings in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded a comprehensive investigation into the soldiers involved in the documentary 'NAZA', which accuses the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) of systematic mass civilian killings in Gaza. Netanyahu called on the heads of the IDF and Israeli intelligence communities to track down the soldiers who participated in the film, according to 7News (Australia).
The film, titled 'NAZA'—an acronym for 'collateral damage' in Hebrew—won the Special Jury Prize at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival and received a 25-minute standing ovation, but it has not been released in Israel. The documentary includes interviews with 24 soldiers and intelligence officials who claim the IDF committed mass civilian killings during its military campaign in Gaza, which began in retaliation for Hamas’s deadly October 7, 2023 attacks.
Netanyahu, in a post to social media, stated, 'I demand that the Chief of the General Staff, the head of the Shin Bet, and the Attorney General initiate a comprehensive investigation against the participants in the film NAZA and bring them to trial for serious information security offenses, criminal defamation, and harm to Israel’s political and security interests.' He also wrote to the heads of the IDF, domestic intelligence agency Shin Bet, and the country's attorney-general to investigate any soldiers who took part in NAZA.
The filmmakers, who include journalist Yuval Abraham, told Variety that they wanted to use their access to military personnel to examine the system as it carried out what human rights organizations describe as a genocide. However, the military has categorically rejected the accusations contained in the film, expressing doubts about the reliability of the anonymous contributors.
The film's creators, who have been awarded a Certificate of Recognition for their work, argue that the documentary refutes blood libels against IDF soldiers and commanders, thereby defending the soldiers and the State of Israel. Netanyahu, however, described the film as presenting 'testimonies by serving and released soldiers from Unit 8200,' though the filmmakers never claimed the interviewees all hailed from the military signal intelligence unit.
The military also said its directives 'have never granted automatic authorization for strikes against targets placing a fixed number of civilians at risk,' such as 20 civilians in an attack on a junior operative or 200 civilians in an attack on a senior commander, as claimed in the film. Netanyahu has previously declared his intention to back legislation to strip citizenship from people who 'defame' soldiers, and he has now promised to pursue such legislation.
The film's journalistic flaws have also been highlighted, with The Times of Israel noting that it was produced by The Guardian and co-created by journalist Yuval Abraham, whose investigative pieces in the Guardian and left-wing Israeli outlets Local Call and +972 form the basis of the film. The film alleges 'mass killing on an industrial scale' in Gaza, bolstered by an AI-powered targeting system and permission for military strikes with as many as 500 expected civilian casualties.
The controversy surrounding the film has sparked a political storm in Israel, with Netanyahu calling for the opening of a criminal investigation and prosecution for serious information security offenses, criminal defamation, and harming Israel’s diplomatic and security interests.
What this adds
The film's creators argue that it refutes blood libels against IDF soldiers and commanders, while Netanyahu describes it as presenting 'testimonies by serving and released soldiers from Unit 8200,' though the filmmakers never claimed the interviewees all hailed from the military signal intelligence unit.
What's confirmed
- “I demand that the Chief of the General Staff, the head of the Shin Bet and the Attorney General initiate a comprehensive investigation against the participants in the film NAZA and bring them to trial for serious information security offenses, criminal defamation, and harm to Israel’s political and security interests,” he said in a post to social media.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded an investigation be opened into the identities of soldiers featured in an award-winning documentary.
What's still developing
- “We will always stand with our beloved and heroic fighters!” Several days prior, a Certificate of Recognition was awarded to the creators of the film NAZA: A True Story which refutes the claims and portrays Hamas’ “crimes and its vile use of the civilian population”.
- "The film spins a false, misleading, and biased narrative that slanders the State of Israel and the IDF globally and severely damages Israel's standing," Mr Netanyahu wrote.
- “This film tells a false, misleading and biased story that defames the State of Israel and the army around the world,” Netanyahu said, according to the statement.
- U S congressman is demanding an investigation after armed Israeli settlers and soldiers detained him and his delegation for roughly 90 minutes during a visit to the occupied West Bank, in an incident that has drawn a sharp denial from the Israeli military and escalating rhetoric from both sides.
- "We are in regular dialogue with the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority about countering terrorism, illegal activities, extremism and improving stability in the West Bank," a State Department official told Anadolu Agency, adding that Washington "condemn[s] criminal violence by any party in the West Bank."
- Khanna said security camera footage could help determine whether soldiers actively participated in detaining American citizens, including at least one US government official.
- "How dare they mistreat people with an American passport that way?"
- "We were detained for about 20 minutes, fearful of our lives," he said.