Israel has come under scrutiny for its use of artificial intelligence (AI) to identify targets in the ongoing conflict with Gaza. The Israeli military has been accused of loosening its constraints on attacks that have resulted in civilian casualties, leading to allegations of a "mass assassination factory." The revelations have sparked international concern and calls for a ceasefire.

According to Israeli investigative reporter Yuval Abraham's article in +972 Magazine and Local Call, the use of AI in target selection has gained prominence in recent years. A division within the Israeli military, called the Targets Division, has been tasked with developing algorithms and automated software to accelerate the process of identifying potential targets in Gaza.

Abraham interviewed seven Israeli intelligence officers, both current and former, who have been involved in past bombing campaigns against Gaza. They revealed that the focus is on creating a high quantity of targets rather than emphasizing target quality. This strategy is seen as a means to achieve a shock effect, particularly when battling guerrilla groups like Hamas.

The report also highlighted the military's previous challenges of running out of targets during extended operations. To address this issue and maintain public support for the military campaign, the use of AI has been ramped up. The creation of targets using AI tools, such as "The Gospel," has reportedly exceeded the rate at which Israel can bomb them.

A concerning aspect highlighted by the sources is the willingness to strike targets, even with knowledge that they may result in significant collateral damage, including civilian casualties. One source claimed that the rate of casualties is documented beforehand, suggesting that these strikes are intentional and not accidental.

The report also shed light on the concept of power targets, which are high-rise residential buildings intentionally targeted to exert civilian pressure on Hamas. The sources revealed that these buildings often contain civilian apartments alongside potential military targets. The military's approach includes bombing the entire building, even at the cost of civilian lives, to achieve a certain psychological impact and destabilize Hamas.

While the Israeli military claims to prioritize the safety of civilians in Gaza, the evidence presented suggests otherwise. The sources allege that the military has relaxed its restrictions on harming civilians. For example, strikes on power targets no longer adhere to a protocol of evacuating families from the buildings before the bombings, as was practiced in previous operations.

These revelations raise serious concerns about potential war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law. Calls for a ceasefire and greater accountability have intensified in the wake of this exposé. U.N. officials have voiced their alarm at the resumption of attacks by Israel and have urged immediate efforts to secure a ceasefire based on humanitarian and human rights grounds.

Negotiations for a new truce and the release of captives are reportedly ongoing. Israel claims that Hamas still holds 137 hostages kidnapped during the October 7th attacks. The international community is closely watching these developments and calling for an end to the violence and protection of civilian lives.