Netanyahu calls for soldiers in Gaza documentary to be prosecuted
Israeli prime minister wants an investigation into soldiers and intelligence officials who worked on the documentary NAZA.
Follow-up to: Israel investigates participants in Gaza documentary Sunday, 11 October 2026, 21:57
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Sunday for a comprehensive investigation into Israeli soldiers and intelligence officials who worked on the documentary NAZA. He wants those involved to be prosecuted for, among other things, serious information-security offences, criminal defamation and damage to Israel’s diplomatic and security interests, AP and EFE report.
Netanyahu addressed his request to Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir, Shin Bet director David Zini and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara. According to the request, they must investigate who worked on the film and consider what criminal steps may be possible. This therefore amounts to a call from the government; the available reporting does not yet show that charges have been filed.
The move follows earlier Israeli criticism of the documentary. In NAZA, 24 anonymous soldiers and intelligence officials describe their experiences during the war in Gaza. The filmmakers argue that Israeli targeting and attacks have systematically led to large numbers of civilian deaths. The Israeli authorities reject that account.
According to Netanyahu, the film presents a false, misleading and one-sided account and damages the reputation of Israel and the Israel Defense Forces. The Israeli military has categorically rejected the allegations in the past. According to the military leadership, its rules prohibit deliberate attacks on civilians and require commanders to weigh the risk of civilian casualties.
The documentary describes, among other things, the use of automated systems to select possible targets. The sources consulted have not independently established whether such systems exist or exactly how they were used. The statements in the film are also largely anonymous, making it difficult to link individual claims to specific roles, units or operations.
The legal consequences are therefore still unclear. Public reports about the request name no suspects, formal charge or judicial assessment of the allegations. Nor is it yet known what information the bodies involved would seek to investigate or which statutory provisions would ultimately be used.
The issue also touches on state security, military secrecy and the scope for journalistic investigation. AP writes that the film received a prolonged ovation in Venice and that the controversy is taking place several weeks before Israel’s elections on 27 October, in which security is a major theme. The next step will primarily determine whether the matter remains one of political condemnation or develops into a formal criminal case.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Netanyahu has called for an investigation into participants in the documentary NAZA and for possible prosecution.
- The documentary contains anonymous statements from 24 Israeli soldiers and intelligence officials.
- The Israeli government and military reject the allegations in the film; the sources consulted contain no report of a judicial ruling in the case.
Left
Arguments Participants in journalistic investigations should be protected when they report possible wrongdoing within an army. A criminal investigation launched directly at the government’s initiative can deter sources and make independent oversight of military conduct more difficult.
Values Press freedom, whistleblower protection, human rights and democratic accountability.
Consequences Prosecution could have a deterrent effect on future witnesses and intensify international criticism of Israel if the procedure is not demonstrably independent.
Centre
Arguments An investigation into possible leaks of classified information may be legitimate, but it must be conducted by independent legal bodies and according to a transparent procedure. Both the statements in the film and the military’s response should be assessed on the basis of evidence.
Values The rule of law, national security, the right to be heard and institutional independence.
Consequences A careful procedure can distinguish between a criminal breach of secrecy, protected journalism and political criticism, without establishing guilt in advance.
Right
Arguments Soldiers who disclose operational information can endanger the safety of soldiers, intelligence sources and the state. The government must therefore act against leaks and against allegations that, in its view, delegitimise the military internationally.
Values National security, military cohesion, state sovereignty and protection of the army’s reputation.
Consequences Prosecution may discourage future leaks, but a broad or politically directed approach could instead raise doubts about the credibility of Israeli institutions.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article’s central claim is confirmed by two independent news sources that reported on 11 October about the same government request. Allegations from the documentary are consistently attributed to the filmmakers or interviewees and are not presented as proven facts.
- confirmed Benjamin Netanyahu called on 11 October for an investigation into and prosecution of participants in NAZA. — AP and EFE report Netanyahu’s request for an investigation and criminal prosecution. source
- confirmed The request was addressed to the military chief, the Shin Bet director and the attorney general. — EFE names Eyal Zamir, David Zini and Gali Baharav-Miara. source
- confirmed NAZA contains statements from 24 anonymous Israeli soldiers and intelligence officials. — EFE describes the documentary as being based on testimonies from 24 soldiers and intelligence officials. source
- confirmed The Israeli military rejects the allegations in the documentary and says its rules prohibit deliberate attacks on civilians. — EFE reports the Israeli military’s response and the rules described. source
- confirmed The reporting consulted contains no formal charge or judicial ruling against the participants. — The AP and EFE reports describe a request for an investigation and prosecution, without mentioning a charge or ruling. source
- confirmed Israel’s elections are scheduled for 27 October 2026. — AP mentions the 27 October elections in the context of the controversy’s political consequences. source
Editor's note
It is certain that Netanyahu called for an investigation and possible prosecution on 11 October, addressing three Israeli bodies. The legal basis, the identities of those interviewed and whether charges will actually follow remain uncertain; the allegations in the documentary have not been presented as established facts.Sources
The story so far
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 21:57 Israel investigates participants in Gaza documentary
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 22:56 Netanyahu calls for soldiers in Gaza documentary to be prosecuted (this article)