Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for an investigation into anonymous sources featured in NAZA, an award-winning documentary about Israel’s war in Gaza.

The film features testimony from 24 unnamed Israeli military whistleblowers. They accuse the Israeli army of killing civilians in Gaza through the use of AI-powered targeting systems.

Netanyahu’s office announced the move in a statement on Sunday.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this evening asked the chief of staff of the Israeli army, the head of the Shin Bet (domestic intelligence), and the state attorney to open a thorough investigation targeting the participants in the film ‘NAZA’ and to prosecute them,” the statement said.

Gaza Documentary Sparks Political Controversy

The documentary takes its name from NAZA, an Israeli military term for expected civilian casualties in airstrikes. The term abbreviates a Hebrew phrase meaning “collateral damage.”

The film won a special jury prize at the Venice Film Festival. It also received a reported 25-minute standing ovation, drawing international attention.

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However, the documentary has sparked political controversy in Israel. Netanyahu accused the filmmakers of presenting a misleading account of the war.

“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 his office.

Israeli Army Rejects Allegations

Netanyahu has previously said he would support legislation to strip citizenship from people who “defame” Israeli soldiers.

The Israeli military has also strongly rejected the documentary’s allegations. It has questioned the credibility of the anonymous contributors.

The film’s whistleblowers accuse the military of using artificial intelligence to identify targets in Gaza. Their testimony raises questions about civilian casualties and the role of automated targeting systems in military operations.

The allegations remain disputed. The documentary relies on testimony from unnamed sources, while the Israeli military challenges their reliability.

Gaza Death Toll Exceeds 74,000

Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza following the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023. Those attacks killed people in Israel and led to the capture of hostages.

Gaza’s health ministry has reported more than 74,000 deaths during the ensuing war. The ministry operates under Hamas-run authorities, but the United Nations has generally regarded its casualty figures as reliable.

The documentary has added to international debate over Israel’s military conduct in Gaza. Netanyahu’s call for an investigation has also intensified the controversy surrounding the film and its anonymous contributors.