Killing by Algorithms: How Israel Turned AI into a Machine of Annihilation in Gaza?

Field and technical reports have revealed a radical shift in Israeli military doctrine, where reliance on artificial intelligence and big data has become a fundamental pillar in managing operations in the Gaza Strip. These technologies, developed for human well-being, have been harnessed as tools for digital killing and mass surveillance, leading to an unprecedented acceleration in targeting. These developments coincide with the aggression entering its thousandth day, amidst international criticism of the role of global technology companies in providing the necessary platforms for these operations.

The process of identifying targets in Gaza is shifting from the traditional field level to a complex technical level, where digital data is integrated into unified intelligence systems. The US-backed Civil-Military Coordination Center plays a pivotal role in linking field operations with digital intelligence networks. Satellite images, biometric data, and drone signals are processed by AI systems before the final results are sent to combat units.

Palantir's 'Maven' platform stands out as one of the main drivers for integrating multiple intelligence sources, turning target identification into a semi-automated process. In parallel, 'Dataminer' provides real-time risk analysis based on social media data. This integrated system relies entirely on a technical infrastructure provided by global companies to enhance the operational capabilities of the Israeli army in the field.

The occupation authorities use the algorithm-based 'Lavender' and 'Where's Daddy' systems to track thousands of Palestinians and classify them as potential targets. Despite names that may seem civilian, these systems work to build assessments about individuals' affiliations with resistance factions. Specifically, the 'Where's Daddy' system tracks targets until they reach their homes, then sends immediate notifications to forces to begin bombing, without considering the presence of other civilians.

Palantir has acknowledged providing the Israeli army with specialized technologies to support targeting operations since October 2023, confirming increased demand for its advanced products. The company has signed strategic agreements with the occupation presidency and the Ministry of Defense to provide technical tools that support the war effort. Observers believe that this close cooperation puts technology companies in direct conflict with international laws related to human rights.

In the context of surveillance, Israel relies on American-made drones and facial recognition technologies developed by Elbit Systems. These tools allow for the creation of massive databases that are updated in real-time to track Palestinian movements and verify their identities at checkpoints. Human rights activists warn that the use of algorithms gives the occupation a pretext to evade legal responsibility by claiming 'technical errors'.

The $1.2 billion 'Project Nimbus' represents the backbone of the cloud computing used by Israeli military institutions. This project, implemented by Google and Amazon, provides data centers that allow for the storage and processing of vast amounts of intelligence information. These platforms offer advanced machine learning services that contribute to analyzing human behavior and tracking objects with high accuracy.

Leaked documents indicate that the 'Google Cloud' platform provides the occupation with advanced tools for automated image classification and sentiment analysis based on audio and visual recordings. The 'Auto ML' system can also analyze detainee records and reconnaissance reports to suggest precise coordinates for military targets. This use of cloud computing goes beyond mere storage to being a platform for making direct killing decisions.

The capabilities of the digital system are not limited to analyzing field data but extend to monitoring digital content and classifying it as 'anti-Israel'. Live broadcasts from street cameras and drones are analyzed to track individuals in real-time and continuously. This comprehensive surveillance aims to tighten security control and facilitate pursuit, arrest, or physical liquidation operations.

Since the start of the widespread aggression, AI-backed attacks have become a tool for carrying out genocide affecting more than 2.4 million Palestinians. The occupation has seized vast areas of the Strip, using massive quantities of explosives that have almost completely destroyed civilian infrastructure. The numbers indicate an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, with the number of martyrs and missing exceeding tens of thousands, most of whom are women and children.

Medical sources reported that the number of bodies reaching hospitals exceeded 73,000, while thousands remain under rubble that teams cannot access. Intensive, algorithmically directed raids have led to the annihilation of entire families and their removal from civil registries. This systematic destruction has also affected the health and education systems, making life in the Strip almost impossible.

These technologies raise deep ethical questions about the 'humanization' of war, where human decision-making is replaced by programmatic assessments that may lack accuracy. Experts believe that the reliance on AI in Gaza is a 'testing laboratory' for future killing technologies. The absence of international oversight over these companies gives them the green light to continue developing tools that contribute to violating international humanitarian law.

The link between biometric data, communication records, and satellite images creates a 'digital prison' surrounding all residents of the Strip. This system allows the occupation to predict movements and target individuals at their most vulnerable moments, such as when they are with their families. Reports confirm that this technology has not reduced civilian casualties but has increased the lethality of military operations and their precision in widespread destruction.

In conclusion, the reality in Gaza shows that 'digital killing' has become a tangible reality that transcends the boundaries of science fiction, with major technology companies contributing to shaping the scene of annihilation. The continuation of this approach threatens to transform future wars into conflicts managed entirely by algorithms, far from any ethical or legal standards. Palestinians in Gaza remain the first victims of this terrifying technological shift in means of mass killing.

Artificial intelligence in Gaza does not merely analyze information but directly contributes to guiding targeting decisions and transforming data into military targets that can be eliminated.