A new report sheds light on how Israel is utilizing artificial intelligence to identify targets in its military operations in Gaza, raising concerns about the loosening constraints on attacks that may result in civilian casualties.
Israel has resumed airstrikes on Gaza, leading to the death of at least 70 Palestinians, following the end of a weeklong truce. The Israeli military’s increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) to identify targets in its operations has come under scrutiny. A recent report by journalist Yuval Abraham reveals that this shift towards AI is partly a response to previous operations in Gaza, where Israel faced a shortage of military targets and subsequently relaxed its constraints on attacks that risked civilian lives. The result is what Abraham describes as a “mass assassination factory” and a disregard for Palestinian civilians.
1. The IDF’s Increasing Reliance on AI:
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been increasingly relying on AI technology to identify targets in their military operations in Gaza. In 2019, the IDF established the Targets Division, which brought together hundreds of soldiers to develop AI algorithms and automated software for faster target creation. This move was in response to previous operations in Gaza, where the IDF ran out of targets after three weeks, leading to the need for more efficient target identification.
2. Loosening Constraints and Civilian Casualties:
According to sources, the Israeli military has loosened its constraints on attacks that could result in civilian casualties. The military has knowingly targeted private homes and residences to assassinate alleged combatants, even if it means causing collateral damage and civilian deaths. This approach has turned the Israeli military into a “mass assassination factory” with a disregard for Palestinian civilian lives. The intentional targeting of civilians raises concerns about the IDF’s interpretation of what constitutes a military target.
3. Power Targets and Civilian Pressure:
The concept of “power targets” has emerged, referring to residential high-rise buildings that the Israeli military considers to be military targets. However, sources indicate that the military intentionally targets these buildings, knowing that they house civilians, to exert civilian pressure on Hamas. The destruction of these buildings is intended to create a sense of insecurity and loss of control among the Palestinian population, ultimately putting pressure on Hamas. The intentional targeting of civilian infrastructure raises questions about the military’s adherence to international humanitarian law and the laws of war.
4. AI and Target Creation:
The use of AI technology has accelerated the creation of targets for airstrikes in Gaza. The IDF’s Targets Division has developed AI algorithms and automated software, such as “The Gospel,” to expedite target identification. The rate of target creation now surpasses the rate at which the IDF can bomb these targets. During the current conflict, the Targets Division has created 12,000 targets using AI tools, which is twice the number of targets bombed during the entire 2014 war. This acceleration in target creation raises concerns about the potential for increased civilian casualties.
5. Israel’s Knowledge of Hamas Attack:
Another recent report suggests that Israel may have received intelligence about Hamas’s planned attack more than a year before the October 7th incident but chose to ignore it. This revelation raises questions about Israel’s handling of intelligence and its role in escalating the conflict.
Conclusion:
The use of AI technology in Israel’s military operations in Gaza has raised concerns about the loosening constraints on attacks that risk civilian lives. The intentional targeting of private homes and residences to assassinate alleged combatants has resulted in a disregard for Palestinian civilian lives. The acceleration of target creation through AI tools has further heightened the risk of civilian casualties. The revelation that Israel may have had prior intelligence about Hamas’s planned attack adds another layer to the complex dynamics of the conflict. As the situation in Gaza continues to unfold, it is crucial to examine the ethical implications of the IDF’s use of AI and the impact on civilian lives.
Leave a Reply