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// DOSSIER — gaza-war-documentary-naza-tops-italian-box-office
Gaza War Documentary 'NAZA' Tops Italian Box Office, Outperforming Avengers Re-Release
REL_TIME: 03 Oct 2026 05:16Z · LANG: EN
The award-winning documentary 'NAZA,' directed by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, debuted at number one at the Italian box office, grossing nearly €1.81 million with over 243,000 admissions during its initial three-day run. The film, which features anonymous testimonies from 24 Israeli military and intelligence insiders detailing AI-powered targeting systems and civilian casualties in Gaza, outperformed the high-profile re-release of 'Avengers: Endgame Encore.' Despite receiving a record-breaking standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival, the documentary has sparked severe backlash from Israeli leadership, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Culture Minister Miki Zohar calling for the filmmakers' citizenship to be revoked for treason, and the military launching a leak investigation with the Shin Bet.
// Background
Directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor previously co-directed the Oscar-winning documentary 'No Other Land,' which focused on West Bank settler violence. 'NAZA' is produced by The Guardian and JW Films, building on investigative reporting published between 2023 and 2025. The title 'NAZA' is derived from a Hebrew military acronym used to estimate expected civilian casualties in an airstrike.
// Key Developments
- 'NAZA' topped the Italian box office, grossing €1.81 million in three days and beating 'Avengers: Endgame Encore'.
- The documentary features testimonies from 24 anonymous Israeli military and intelligence personnel regarding AI-powered targeting and civilian casualties in Gaza.
- Israeli officials, including PM Netanyahu and Culture Minister Zohar, have accused the filmmakers of treason and threatened to revoke their citizenship.
- The Israeli military has rejected the film's claims and initiated a legal and leak investigation assisted by the Shin Bet.
// Timeline
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NAZA premieres at the Venice Film Festival, receiving a record 25-minute standing ovation and winning the Special Jury Prize.
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The film holds its North American premiere at the New York Film Festival at Alice Tully Hall.
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NAZA opens in Italy, grossing €451,872 on its first day.
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The planned three-day Italian run concludes with €1.81 million in gross revenue, prompting over 150 theaters to extend its screening.
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The documentary is scheduled for a wider theatrical rollout across the United States.
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The film is scheduled to be made freely available to the public on theguardian.com.
// Perspectives
[Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor (Filmmakers)]
Aim to expose the Israeli military's systemic use of AI-powered targeting systems and the conscious acceptance of high civilian casualties in Gaza.
[Israeli Government (Netanyahu & Zohar)]
Condemn the film as treasonous defamation of the military, proposing legislation to strip the creators of citizenship and increase defamation damages.
[Israeli Military (IDF / Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir)]
Deny the film's allegations of deliberate civilian targeting and independent AI target selection, while launching a leak investigation with the Shin Bet.
[Italian Cinema Distributors & Exhibitors]
Support the film's extended run due to unprecedented audience demand, viewing it as a powerful cultural and political signal.
// Quotes
“I will act immediately to revoke the Israeli citizenship of these despicable creators on the grounds of treason against the state.”
“These crimes that you saw are ongoing. They’re ongoing because it’s what our country is doing, and because of what your country is supporting and funding.”
“Our country is doing so much to hide these systems. It’s not a world that is open even to the Israeli public.”
