Twenty-four Israeli soldiers and officers gathered on a Tel Aviv rooftop for a singular purpose: to expose how artificial intelligence drove the military targeting of Gaza. Directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, the 80-minute documentary feature Am examines automated targeting mechanics, detailing how systems designated tens of thousands of targets while accepting high civilian casualties. Released in late 2026, the film has sparked intense domestic controversy across Israel.
Inside the ‘Lavender’ and ‘Where’s Daddy’ Protocols
Artificial intelligence played a central role in rapidly generating strike packages during the conflict. Interviewees in the film explain the mechanics. The military utilized the “Lavender” AI platform to identify between 60,000 and 70,000 mobile phone numbers associated with suspected operatives, marking them for subsequent bombardment.
Another automated tracking protocol, termed “Where’s Daddy,” operated in tandem. It transmitted alerts to military operators when a designated individual returned to a residential structure. Strikes were authorized regardless of civilian presence, leading to widespread fatalities among family members present at targeted homes.
From Hebrew Acronyms to Expanding Casualty Benchmarks
The title of the film originates from a Hebrew military acronym, “nezek agavi,” which translates to collateral damage or the number of Palestinian civilians expected to perish in a given strike. Soldiers in the documentary state that benchmarks for acceptable civilian deaths expanded significantly during operations, with ratios reaching up to twenty non-combatants per targeted militant.
Broad reporting on the conflict indicates that cumulative fatalities since October 7, 2023, have exceeded 74,000 Palestinians. Over 175,000 individuals sustained injuries, according to figures discussed in contemporaneous coverage by outlets such as The Guardian and +972 Magazine.
Street Protests and Shaken Audiences After Screenings
The theatrical rollout of Am has generated substantial public friction and street protests across Israel. Former Middle East correspondent Sander van Hoorn noted in the Dutch public radio podcast The Day that audiences emerged from early screenings deeply shaken by the unvarnished testimonies.
Correspondent Lennard Swolfs reported from demonstrations in Israel that the film touches on profound political sensitivities. As the country addresses ongoing security debates and upcoming elections, the documentary amplifies internal tensions surrounding military accountability and the methods employed in the Gaza campaign.