NAZA, a controversial new documentary featuring testimony from 24 Israeli military and intelligence insiders, is heading to U.S. theaters.
The film, from Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, will begin its U.S. theatrical rollout Sept. 30 following its award-winning premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
It examines Israel’s military operations in Gaza and has drawn international attention—and backlash—since its debut.
What Is NAZA About?
NAZA was filmed over the course of three years and features interviews with 24 Israeli military and intelligence insiders whose identities are concealed.
The documentary examines the systems used by the Israeli military during its operations in Gaza, with interviewees discussing surveillance, targeting practices and civilian casualties.
The documentary expands on previous investigations by The Guardian, +972 Magazine and Local Call into Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
Abraham and Szor previously worked together as two of the four directors behind the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land.
The title NAZA refers to an Israeli military acronym used to indicate the number of civilians expected to be killed in an airstrike.
Why Is NAZA Controversial?
The documentary has drawn significant backlash from Israeli political and military leaders following its Venice premiere.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the film and its directors, accusing them of portraying Israeli soldiers as war criminals. Days later, the prime minister said he would pursue legislation that could strip Israeli citizenship from people who he says defame IDF soldiers abroad.
“We will revoke citizenship for anyone who defames IDF soldiers around the world,” Netanyahu said.
Israeli Culture Minister Miki Zohar has also condemned the filmmakers, while IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir publicly criticized the documentary.
The IDF issued a formal response to the film on Sept. 11, saying it “categorically rejects” its allegations.
The military questioned the documentary’s reliance on anonymous sources, arguing that viewers cannot independently verify the identities of the interviewees, their military roles or whether they were involved in the events they describe.
The IDF also disputed allegations concerning its targeting practices and use of artificial intelligence, saying decisions to select and approve strikes are made by human personnel rather than AI.
The Committee to Protect Journalists also weighed in, calling on Israeli authorities to end threats of legal action against Abraham and Szor. CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah warned that threats from senior government officials could have a “chilling effect on journalists.”
Abraham has also spoken about the filmmakers’ motivation behind NAZA, telling The Guardian that the film was intended to examine the systems behind Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
When Will NAZA Be Released in U.S. Theaters?
NAZA is set to make its North American premiere at the New York Film Festival on Sept. 26.
The documentary will then begin its U.S. theatrical run Sept. 30 with an exclusive opening at the IFC Center in New York City.
According to Variety, it will expand to Los Angeles and other major markets beginning Oct. 9 before rolling out nationally in the following weeks.
The U.S. release follows NAZA’s award-winning run at the 2026 Venice Film Festival, where it received the Special Jury Prize.
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