Israeli Military’s Use of AI in Targeting Hamas
Israeli military officials reportedly allowed large numbers of Palestinian civilians to be killed with the use of an Artificial Intelligence-based programme identified in reports as “Lavender”. The system, known for identifying thousands of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip and conducting bombing operations, has raised concerns about collateral damage.
Background of the Conflict
- The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas started after Hamas militants launched a cross-border attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of about 1,140 people, mostly civilians.
- Hamas also took around 250 people as hostages, leading to retaliatory strikes from Israel that claimed the lives of more than 30,000 people in Gaza.
Impact of AI on Targeting
In a report by the news agency AFP, it was revealed that Israel’s use of AI has significantly enhanced its ability to track down suspected Hamas militants. The AI system, named Lavender, generates targets at a much faster rate and estimates collateral damage from strikes.
According to security experts, the AI system allowed Israeli military officials to make targeting decisions that resulted in the deaths of Palestinian civilians, particularly in the early stages of the conflict.
One intelligence officer quoted by The Guardian described the use of AI as unprecedented, highlighting the reliance on a “statistical mechanism” over human judgment.
Israel’s AI-Powered Targeting
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) first advertised their use of AI-powered targeting after a conflict in Gaza in May 2021. The military chief at the time, Aviv Kohavi, credited AI systems with identifying “100 new targets every day”, a significant increase from previous human-analyzed targets.
In a blog post on the Israeli military’s website, it was mentioned that the AI-enhanced “targeting directorate” identified over 12,000 targets in just 27 days. The AI system, known as Habsora (The Gospel), aimed for precise attacks on Hamas infrastructure while minimizing harm to non-combatants.
Humanitarian Concerns and International Response
Israel has faced criticism for the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the recent death of foreign aid workers. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as a “tragic accident”, while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez demanded further details and a stronger clarification from Israel regarding the deaths of aid workers in a Gaza airstrike.
WION takes utmost care to report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict, but cannot independently verify all statements and information.
