IOF’s use of AI in Gaza genocide maximizes risk of killing civilians

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
10 Feb 2024 15:13
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As AI becomes part of the arsenal in the ongoing genocide in Gaza, questions arise about the ethical implications and the impact on civilian populations.

An Israeli soldier on the periphery of the Gaza Envelope settlements (AFP/Getty Images)

The introduction of advanced technologies in warfare sparks concerns over the potential maximization of civilian casualties, particularly when employed by one of the world's most criticized military forces—the Israeli occupation forces.

As these cutting-edge tools become part of the arsenal in the ongoing genocide in Gaza, questions arise about the ethical implications and the impact on civilian populations. The intersection of technology and warfare raises critical ethical considerations amid a global debate on the consequences of such advancements in the hands of contentious military entities.

Israeli occupation forces have introduced AI-powered technology in their genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza, marking the first utilization of such tools in warfare and prompting concerns about the use of autonomous weapons in modern wars.

While specific details on the technology's application are not fully disclosed, statements from Israeli officials allege its involvement in "countering drones and mapping Hamas's extensive tunnel network in Gaza."

New technologies such as AI-powered gunsights and robotic drones have emerged in "Israel". Despite the industry constituting 18 percent of the GDP in 2022, the aggression on Gaza has reportedly disrupted it significantly, with around eight percent of its workforce mobilized for military service.

"In general the war in Gaza presents threats, but also opportunities to test emerging technologies in the field," said Avi Hasson, chief executive of Startup Nation Central, an Israeli tech incubator, as quoted by AFP.

"Both on the battlefield and in the hospitals there are technologies that have been used in this war that have not been used in the past," he stressed.

AI Usage amplifies killing and suffering in Gaza

Mary Wareham, an arms expert at Human Rights Watch, emphasized that the increasing number of civilian casualties underscores the imperative for enhanced supervision of the deployment of such technologies.

"Now we're facing the worst possible situation of death and suffering that we're seeing today –- some of that is being brought about by the new tech," she said.

It is worth noting that at least 150 countries in December backed a UN resolution identifying "serious challenges and concerns" in new military tech, including "artificial intelligence and autonomy in weapons systems."

For the first time, IOF employed in their war on Gaza an AI-enabled optic sight produced by the Israeli startup Smart Shooter, attaching it to weapons like rifles and machine guns.

"It helps our soldiers to intercept drones because Hamas uses a lot of drones," said the senior Israeli military official.

"It makes every regular soldier -- even a blind soldier -- a sniper," the official added.

The comes amid multiple reports that have extensively documented instances of Israeli occupation forces engaging in sniper attacks targeting civilians in Gaza. In a heart-wrenching moment, an Israeli occupation soldier shot a woman as she was fetching water from the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis two days ago.

In a heart-wrenching moment, an Israeli occupation soldier shot a woman as she was fetching water from the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, illustrating the perilous conditions faced by Palestinians amid the ongoing war on #Gaza.#Palestine pic.twitter.com/PuiS1a52sp
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) February 8, 2024

Last December, the Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed that IOF snipers nested around Al-Awda Hospital had killed and injured several pregnant women on their way to the hospital to give birth.

The Ministry confirmed that pregnant women in northern Gaza have been prevented from accessing the maternity service at Al-Awda Hospital, leading to their death along with their unborn children.

Despite concerns from human rights groups, the IOF have adopted drones equipped with AI during their aggression on Gaza. This incorporates technology from the Israeli startup Robotican, which encases a drone within a robotic case.

A recent report by The Wall Street Journal highlighted the United States, "Israel's" primary international ally and a significant provider of military aid, training its soldiers to "counter drones using Smart Shooter's optic sights."

It is worth noting the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza revealed today that the number of martyred Palestinians since October 7 has risen to 28,064, in addition to 67,611 injuries.