Human Rights Watch: IOF Use of AI in Gaza Raises Alarming Civilian Risk

Rabat – Human Rights Watch (HRW) has raised concerns over Israel’s deployment of advanced surveillance technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), in its military operations in Gaza.

According to the rights organization, the tools being used to assess and target potential threats may be heightening the risk of civilian casualties, in violation of international humanitarian law.

In a report released this week, HRW highlights the use of four specific digital tools by the Israeli military to evaluate potential targets, estimate the number of civilians in a given area, and differentiate between combatants and civilians.

However, HRW claims that these tools, which rely on data analysis and machine learning algorithms, are flawed and could result in unlawful attacks that disproportionately harm civilians.

“The Israeli military is using incomplete data and unreliable calculations to make life-or-death decisions in Gaza,” said Zach Campbell, senior surveillance researcher at Human Rights Watch. “These tools, instead of minimizing civilian harm, could actually be increasing it by contributing to the unlawful killing and wounding of non-combatants.”

HRW’s investigation is based on public statements by Israeli officials, reports from military sources, and interviews with experts.

The report emphasizes that the algorithms used to make targeting decisions may reflect biases or incomplete data, a significant concern given the stakes of military actions in Gaza.

The tools under scrutiny include a system called “The Gospel,” which generates lists of potential structural targets, and “Lavender,” an algorithm that assigns threat levels to individuals based on their suspected affiliations.

Another tool, ominously named “Where’s Daddy?”, is reportedly used to determine when a target, such as a suspected militant, is at home to ensure they are present when an attack occurs.

While AI and other digital tools are increasingly common in military operations, HRW warns that these technologies, especially when based on faulty or incomplete data, can lead to devastating consequences.

The organization also raised ethical concerns regarding the ongoing surveillance of Gaza residents, questioning the legality of collecting and using personal data in this way under international human rights law.

As an occupying power in Gaza, Israel is bound by international law to protect civilians during military operations. HRW stressed that relying on AI-based tools without adequate human oversight may contravene those obligations.

In some cases, HRW believes these tools may have directly contributed to civilian harm, calling for thorough investigations into their use.

With over 40,000 deaths reported in Gaza in recent months, HRW has also called on Israel to conduct independent investigations into potential violations of international humanitarian law.

“The stakes couldn’t be higher,” Campbell said. “The Israeli military’s use of flawed technology in a context as sensitive as Gaza could be leading to unlawful attacks and significant civilian harm.”