Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
According to a report by The Guardian, Israeli military utilized an AI-powered database, called Lavender, to identify potential Hamas targets during the Gaza conflict.
Lavender identified around 37,000 potential targets based on their perceived connections to Hamas, as per intelligence sources.
Israeli intelligence officers' testimonies reveal the unprecedented role of AI in identifying targets during the six-month war.
Lavender's use impacted target selection, with machine-generated recommendations replacing traditional human decision-making processes.
Lavender, developed by Unit 8200, became a central tool for rapidly identifying potential targets linked to Hamas or PIJ.
However, IDF applied pre-authorized allowances for civilian casualties, allowing airstrikes on low-ranking militants, risking civilian lives.
The use of AI in targeting may help explain the high death toll in the conflict and has sparked controversy over civilian casualties. International law experts express concern over pre-authorized casualty ratios and the need for individualized assessments in each strike.
Some IDF intelligence officers are also questioning the military's bombing strategy and its long-term implications for Gaza.