IDF Backers Launch 'NAZA: The Real Story' to Counter Gaza Documentary

Key points

• A counter-documentary titled 'NAZA: The Real Story' was released online this weekend, claiming over 20 million views.
• The rebuttal was produced by Lt. Col. Roi Danino, reserve major Ariel Averbuch, and content editor Hagai Gutman, all associated with the IDF or right-wing politics.
• The original 'NAZA' documentary, directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, won a special jury prize at the Venice Film Festival and recently premiered in New York.
• The IDF has issued a formal statement calling the original film 'manipulative' and 'misleading,' asserting that it relies on partial information from junior personnel.
• The filmmakers of the original 'NAZA' responded by stating they interviewed more than 100 sources, including senior commanders, to verify their claims.

Background

The documentary 'NAZA' has been a focal point of international debate since its premiere at the Venice Film Festival in September 2026. It features interviews with 24 Israeli military intelligence officers and soldiers, alleging that the IDF used AI systems to target civilians in Gaza. The film has faced significant backlash from Israeli authorities, including calls from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to revoke the directors' citizenship and a legal review ordered by IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir. The recent release of the rebuttal film marks a new phase in this dispute, as supporters of the IDF attempt to shape the narrative through digital media.

How outlets are covering it

The original 'NAZA' documentary, produced by The Guardian, presents a critical view of the IDF's conduct in Gaza, alleging that the military systematically targeted civilians and accepted high collateral damage. The IDF, in contrast, has issued a detailed statement denying these claims, arguing that the film is based on 'substantial factual errors' and that the interviewees only had partial knowledge of the targeting process. The new rebuttal film, 'NAZA: The Real Story,' aligns with the IDF's perspective, arguing that Hamas embedded fighters in civilian areas, forcing the IDF to operate under strict rules of engagement. The filmmakers of the original 'NAZA' have responded by stating that they interviewed more than 100 sources, including senior commanders, to verify their claims, and that the IDF's attempt to portray the 24 participants as junior-ranking officers is false.

Why it matters

The release of the rebuttal film 'NAZA: The Real Story' signals a new phase in the dispute over the original 'NAZA' documentary. As the original film gains international visibility and media attention, the creators of the rebuttal are utilizing digital influencers and grassroots international networks to push their footage directly to global policymakers and journalists. This clash is no longer just a debate over military strategy but a definitive, high-stakes war over who dictates the historical record to the international community.

What to watch

The original 'NAZA' documentary is currently playing in cinemas in Europe and the U.S. before it will be made visible to stream for free on The Guardian website in late November. The IDF has promised to use 'every tool at our disposal' against the documentary, and the filmmakers of the original 'NAZA' have not commented on the rebuttal film. The upcoming Israeli elections on October 27 may also influence the political landscape surrounding the dispute.