Several world leaders have expressed concern about reports that Israel is using artificial intelligence to identify potential targets in its conflict against Hamas in Gaza. The report from Israeli magazine +972 and Hebrew-language outlet the Local Call cited intelligence officers who claimed Israel used the program “Lavender” to identify Palestinians linked to Hamas and their homes as potential targets. The United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres stated he was troubled by the reports and emphasized that life and death decisions should not be made by algorithms. The United States is looking into the claims, but Israel has denied using artificial intelligence for target identification.
The report alleged that Israel developed a list of potential targets using the AI system with little oversight, leading to increased civilian casualties. Israeli officials reportedly considered it acceptable to kill between 15 and 20 civilians for every target, which could potentially amount to war crimes. However, the Israel Defense Forces have refuted these claims, stating that the system in question is simply a database used to cross-reference intelligence sources. The IDF maintains that it follows international law and does not carry out strikes where the expected collateral damage is excessive in relation to the military advantage.
Israel’s military policy has faced scrutiny following an incident where aid workers with the World Central Kitchen were killed in a strike. José Andrés, the founder of the organization, accused Israel of targeting their vehicles systematically. The IDF conducted a preliminary investigation into the incident, calling it a “grave mistake” and stating that they believed they were targeting Hamas operatives. President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging Israel to do more to protect civilians in the conflict against Hamas, which has resulted in thousands of deaths in Gaza, with most being civilians.
Experts have expressed concern over the reports of Israel’s use of artificial intelligence in target identification, with some stating that it could violate international humanitarian law. Adil Haque, a law professor, described the reports as a nightmare for international humanitarian lawyers. The IDF has emphasized that it uses a variety of tools in the target identification process and that analysts must independently assess whether a suspected target is relevant. The controversy surrounding Israel’s military tactics in Gaza continues to draw international attention, as world leaders and experts monitor the situation closely.
