The Israeli military reportedly utilized a covert AI system known as “Lavender” to pinpoint numerous bombing targets in Gaza, despite the program’s purported 10% margin of error, as detailed in a recent revelatory report.
During its peak operation, this extensive surveillance mechanism purportedly identified approximately 37,000 potential suspects, although the list of targets encompassed a significant number of lower-ranking alleged Hamas affiliates who traditionally would not have been the primary focus of such military strikes, as disclosed in an investigation conducted by Israel-based publications +972 Magazine and Local Call.
Allegedly, the system underwent minimal human oversight, as per statements from six intelligence officials who were actively engaged in the program during the conflict with Hamas.
Additionally, sources from +972 Magazine revealed that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) were willing to accept the so-called “collateral damage” resulting from the AI’s operations, with reports suggesting that up to 20 civilians may have been casualties for each minor operative identified by “Lavender.”
In a particularly alarming instance, it was reported that a pursuit targeting a senior Hamas figure led to the deaths of over 100 civilians, according to intelligence insiders.
“We had a calculation for how many [civilians could be killed] for the brigade commander, how many [civilians] for a battalion commander, and so on,” one source disclosed to the media outlets.
Despite the contentious allegations, the Israeli military has vehemently refuted the claims made in the report.
The IDF categorically denied any assertions of a policy aimed at targeting tens of thousands of individuals within their residences, as stated in a response to the Guardian.
Clarifying the purpose of “Lavender,” the IDF emphasized that it serves as a database intended to cross-reference intelligence sources to compile real-time data on the military personnel affiliated with terrorist groups, rather than a definitive hit list for potential attacks.
Each identified target supposedly undergoes a meticulous evaluation process, with IDF protocols mandating a thorough assessment of the anticipated military benefits versus the projected collateral damage.
The responsibility of confirming the legitimacy of targets falls on human officers, ensuring compliance with international laws and the specific directives outlined by the IDF.
Regarding the international response, US national security spokesperson John Kirby informed CNN that the White House was in the process of investigating the report, highlighting that the US had yet to verify its contents.
Meanwhile, the Gaza Health Ministry under Hamas administration reported a staggering death toll of 33,000 Palestinians within the conflict over the past half-year.
UN statistics further revealed the grim impact of the war, with 1,340 families enduring multiple losses in the initial month alone, including 312 families grappling with the loss of more than 10 members.
