IDF Eye for Eye and AI

 Recent news of the Prime Minister of Israel refusal to cooperate with Iran peace plan and images of the destruction of Gaza and the attacks on Lebanon brought some research to mind on International Humanitarian Law and the apparent refusal of the IDF to use AI as a guide to the proportional and discriminate conduct of war that this technology can facilitate.

AI and impact on death in Gaza (May 2024)

The admonition of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew to extend the restriction on retribution proclaimed in the Book of Leviticus as “an eye for an eye” was hopefully made possible with modern AI supported intelligent surveillance and targeting systems that have been proven to be able to locate, identify, and select a weapon response that “neutralizes the target” with minimal "collateral" death and destruction.

Trump criticizes Israel's tactics in Lebanon, says it is killing civilians

Humeyra Pamuk, writing for Reuters, reports that US President Donald Trump has chastised  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the death of civilians due to the tactics of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Lebanon. 

Summary in Reuters Article:

Trump said Israel need not bomb entire apartment buildings to target Hezbollah militants

Rebuke comes amid tensions between Trump and PM Netanyahu over Lebanon, Iran deal

White House said Trump still has a strong relationship with Netanyahu (Pamuk, 2026)

A White House official said:

"There has been no greater friend to Israel and a fighter for peace than President Trump...Americans and our allies around the world are already ​safer for the United States and Israel’s bold actions to deny the Iranian regime the ability ​to develop a ⁠nuclear weapon,"

There is no indication that Trump's comments would translate into meaningful policy that would force Israel to rethink its military tactics in a way to ensure greater protection for civilians.

Israel has faced sharp criticism from other countries, particularly during its ⁠assault on ​Gaza that has killed 73,000 people, most of them civilians, according to the ​Gaza health ministry.

Israel says it never targets non-combatants and says militant groups such as Palestinian Hamas and Hezbollah regularly use civilians as human shields. (Pamuk, 2026)

Some other background is contained in these earlier posts.

Israel and Accountability in Gaza

AI IDF Gaza IHL

Responsible AI in Gaza against Hamas

AI Distinction Proportionality IHL in Gaza

The nations that have signed the United States “Political Declaration on Responsible Military Use of Artificial Intelligence” express the principle that military forces must enhance their implementation of international humanitarian law and to improve the protection of civilians and civilian objects in armed conflict. UN experts have welcomed the suspension of arms transfers to Israel by Belgium, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and the Japanese company Itochu Corporation. The European Union also recently discouraged arms exports to Israel. The post Arms exports to Israel notes that Canada’s Minister of Foreign, Affairs, Mélanie Joly, is reported as being increasingly concerned about the role of Canada in supplying arms to Israel.

References

Pamuk, H. (2026, June 16). Trump criticizes Israel's tactics in Lebanon, says it is killing civilians. Reuters. Retrieved June 18, 2026, from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/trump-criticizes-israels-tactics-lebanon-says-it-is-killing-civilians-2026-06-16/ 

Humanitarian Double Trouble

The prevention and punishment of genocide, as an international crime, was laid down in a UN Convention adopted in the aftermath of the Second World War. The crime of genocide generally involves the deliberate and systematic extermination of a group.

Press and Health Care Targets

Art. II of the UN Genocide Convention notes that the following acts, if committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, may constitute genocide:

1. killing members of the group;

2. causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;

3. deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;

4. imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;

5. forcibly transferring children of the group to another group. (Genocide | How Does Law Protect in War? - Online Casebook, n.d.)

 In a blog post in November 2024  Reuters reported that Pope Francis suggests an international study into possible genocide in Gaza.

Reports in the Lancet cited in a blog post in December 2024 and Amnesty International’s research has found sufficient basis to conclude that Israel has committed and is continuing to commit genocide against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip.

A summary of the coverage of famine in Gaza in a blog post provides insight into the cliche that truth is often the first casualty of war. (July 23, 2025).

In recent days the coverage of the conflict in Gaza has raised the question of “Was the ‘double tap’ attack on Gaza’s Nasser hospital a war crime?”

The main rules on hostilities are often said to be humanity, necessity, distinction and proportionality. Humanity is about not inflicting unnecessary suffering. Necessity requires that in applying the other rules a commander should be able to do what they need to “win”, but no more than that. Distinction requires that only lawful objectives should be targeted for attack. Proportionality requires that when a lawful objective is attacked, the expected “collateral damage” should not be excessive to the expected military advantage of the attack. (Sweeney, 2025)

Bethan McKernan in Jerusalem reports for the Guardian on the Karim Khan application for warrants relating to alleged crimes committed during the 7 October attack and the ensuing war in Gaza. The chief prosecutor of the international criminal court has said he is seeking arrest warrants for senior Hamas and Israeli officials for war crimes and crimes against humanity, including the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his defence minister, Yoav Gallant, a move that puts the post-second world war rules-based order to the test and presents new challenges for Israel’s western allies.

He named Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas chief in the Gaza Strip, and Mohammed Deif, the commander of its military wing, considered to be the masterminds of the 7 October assault, as well as Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the group’s political bureau, who is based in Qatar, as wanted for crimes of extermination, murder, hostage-taking, rape, sexual assault and torture.

Netanyahu and Gallant are accused of extermination, causing starvation as a method of war, the denial of humanitarian relief supplies and deliberately targeting civilians. (McKernan, n.d.)

Accusations of war crimes in the manner in which Netanyahu and the IDF are conducting the war in Gaza were given more needed attention as a result of the ‘double tap’ attack on Gaza’s Nasser hospital.

References

Genocide | How does law protect in war? - Online casebook. (n.d.). How does law protect in war? Retrieved September 2, 2025, from https://casebook.icrc.org/a_to_z/glossary/genocide 

McKernan, B. (n.d.). ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrants for Israeli PM and Hamas officials for war crimes. the Guardian. Retrieved May 20, 2024, from https://www.theguardian.com/law/article/2024/may/20/icc-prosecutor-seeks-arrest-warrants-israeli-pm-netanyahu-hamas-officials-war-crimes 

Sweeney, J. (2025, August 27). Was the 'double tap' attack on Gaza's Nasser hospital a war crime? Here's what the laws of war say. The Conversation. Retrieved September 2, 2025, from https://theconversation.com/was-the-double-tap-attack-on-gazas-nasser-hospital-a-war-crime-heres-what-the-laws-of-war-say-263955 

Failure and Famine

This summary of the coverage of famine in Gaza provides insight into the cliche that truth is often the first casualty of war. 

Addressing Famine

 UN World Food Programme  urges action now. Children are dying. Act now.

Urgent appeal. Famine is real. Donate and help us reach families on the edge of...

Famine confirmed in Gaza (Famine Is Confirmed in Gaza, n.d.)

UNICEF Canada issues Emergency Appeal and declares the Situation Is Urgent.

Help us respond fast to natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies around the world.

10K+ visits in past month

Famine confirmed in Gaza City is 'failure of humanity', (Situation Is Urgent, n.d.)

BBC reports a UN-backed body confirms famine in Gaza Strip and surrounding areas, and says half a million are facing "catastrophic" conditions. The report indicates how Israel's policies created famine in Gaza. (UN-Backed Body Confirms Famine in Gaza, n.d.)

BBC reports Israel has systematically obstructed food entering Gaza, aid agencies say, as a UN-backed body confirms a famine. The famine in Gaza: 'A failure of humanity itself', says UN chief. (Israel Has Systematically Obstructed Food Entering Gaza, n.d.)

UN News on 2025/08 reports more than half a million people in Gaza are trapped in famine, marked by widespread starvation, destitution and preventable deaths, ...

Gaza City is officially in famine, with hunger spreading. (Half a Million People in Gaza Are Trapped in Famine, Marked by Widespread Starvation, n.d.)

Reuters reports that Gaza City and surrounding areas are officially suffering from famine, and it will likely spread, a global hunger monitor determined on ..UN officially declares famine in Gaza, Netanyahu slams 'lie'. (UN Officially Declares Famine in Gaza, Netanyahu Slams 'Lie'., n.d.)

Le Monde.fr reports the IPC report says 'over half a million people in the Gaza Strip are facing catastrophic conditions characterized by starvation, ... ('Over Half a Million People in the Gaza Strip Are Facing Catastrophic Conditions, n.d.)

Al Jazeera declares two Palestinians have starved to death in Gaza in the past 24 hours, which also saw 71 people killed in Israeli attacks across the enclave, … Famine confirmed for first time in Gaza (Two Palestinians Have Starved to Death in Gaza in the Past 24 Hours, 2025)

World Health Organization (WHO) presents a Statement by Commissioner Lahbib on Gaza famine that more than half a million people in Gaza are trapped in famine, marked by widespread starvation, destitution and preventable deaths. (Half a Million People in Gaza Are Trapped in Famine, n.d.)

European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations reports famine is no longer a risk in Gaza. It is a reality. Children are dying from hunger and disease, while families are going days without food. UN-backed experts declare famine in and around Gaza City. (Lahbib, n.d.)

The Guardian reports that the IPC (Integrated Food Security Phase Classication)  says famine is 'entirely man-made' and immediate response is needed or avoidable deaths will soar. (Fox, n.d.)

References

Famine is confirmed in Gaza. (n.d.). UN World Food Programme (WFP). Retrieved August 22, 2025, from https://www.wfp.org/news/famine-confirmed-first-time-gaza 

Fox, J. (n.d.). IPC says famine is 'entirely man-made'. Latest news, sport and opinion from the Guardian. Retrieved August 22, 2025, from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/22/ipc-declares-famine-gaza-city 

half a million people in Gaza are trapped in famine. (n.d.). World Health Organization (WHO). Retrieved August 22, 2025, from https://www.who.int/news/item/22-08-2025-famine-confirmed-for-first-time-in-gaza 

half a million people in Gaza are trapped in famine, marked by widespread starvation. (n.d.). UN News | Global perspective Human stories. Retrieved August 22, 2025, from https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/08/1165702 

Israel has systematically obstructed food entering Gaza. (n.d.). BBC Home - Breaking News, World News, US News, Sports, Business, Innovation, Climate, Culture, Travel, Video & Audio. Retrieved August 22, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c05ed5rgld3o 

Lahbib, C. (n.d.). Children are dying from hunger and disease. European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO). Retrieved August 22, 2025, from https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/news-stories/news/statement-com missioner-lahbib-gaza-famine-2025-08-22_en

'over half a million people in the Gaza Strip are facing catastrophic conditions. (n.d.). Retrieved August 22, 2025, from https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/08/22/un-declares-famine-in-gaza_6744612_4.html 

Situation Is Urgent. (n.d.). Donate to Help Children Around the World. Retrieved August 22, 2025, from https://secure.unicef.ca/ 

two Palestinians have starved to death in Gaza in the past 24 hours. (2025, August 22). Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera. Retrieved August 22, 2025, from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/23/israeli-attacks-kill-37-in-gaza-as-more-palestinians-die-from-starvation 

UN-backed body confirms famine in Gaza. (n.d.). BBC Home - Breaking News, World News, US News, Sports, Business, Innovation, Climate, Culture, Travel, Video & Audio. Retrieved August 22, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg4p90z1kxo 

UN officially declares famine in Gaza, Netanyahu slams 'lie'. (n.d.). Reuters.com. Retrieved August 22, 2025, from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gaza-city-officially-famine-with-hunger-spreading-says-global-hunger-monitor-2025-08-22/ 

Possible Genocide in Gaza

Pope Francis is one of the most high-profile figures on the international scene to imply that Israel's actions in Gaza could amount to genocide.

Smoke rises from North Gaza, as seen from Ashkelon 

Reuters reports that Pope Francis suggests an international study into possible genocide in Gaza.

"We should investigate carefully to assess whether this fits into the technical definition (of genocide) formulated by international jurists and organizations," the pope said in the excerpts, published by Italian daily La Stampa. (Pope Francis Suggests International Study Into Possible Genocide in Gaza, n.d.)

Vatican News explains that in a book for the Jubilee 2025, Pope Francis addresses current issues, including the suffering of war displaced and the famine in Palestine. He underscores the importance of respecting human dignity. The book comes out on Tuesday 19 November in Italy, Spain and Latin America, and will follow in other countries.

In one passage the Pope mentions the humanitarian crisis in Gaza saying that what has happened must be investigated. Speaking of nations receiving war refugees, he says "In the Middle East, where the open doors of nations like Jordan or Lebanon continue to be a salvation for millions of people fleeing conflicts in the region: I am thinking above all of those who leave Gaza in the midst of the famine that has struck their Palestinian brothers and sisters given the difficulty of getting food and aid into their territory." 

"According to some experts," Pope Francis writes, "what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide. It should be carefully investigated to determine whether it fits into the technical definition formulated by jurists and international bodies." (Pope: Investigate Whether Genocide Is Taking Place in Gaza, Respect Human Dignity, n.d.)

Middle East Eye staff write that Pope Francis has called for an investigation into the allegations of "experts" about genocide in Gaza.

In a new book, Hope Never Disappoints. Pilgrims Towards a Better World, the Catholic leader for the first time suggested that Israel's attack on the Gaza Strip could be characterised as a genocide.

"According to some experts, what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of genocide," he wrote, in extracts published on Sunday in Italy's La Stampa daily.

"This should be studied carefully to determine whether (the situation) corresponds to the technical definition formulated by jurists and international organisations." (Pope Francis Has Called for an Investigation Into the Allegations of "Experts" About Genocide in Gaza., n.d.)

Giada Zampano from AP Rome reports that Pope Francis has called for an investigation to determine if Israel’s attacks in Gaza constitute genocide, according to excerpts released Sunday from an upcoming new book ahead of the pontiff’s jubilee year.

It’s the first time that Francis has openly urged for an investigation of genocide allegations over Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip. In September, he said Israel’s attacks in Gaza and Lebanon have been “immoral” and disproportionate, and that its military has gone beyond the rules of war.

The book, by Hernán Reyes Alcaide and based on interviews with the Pope, is entitled “Hope never disappoints. Pilgrims towards a better world.” It will be released on Tuesday ahead of the pope’s 2025 jubilee. Francis’ yearlong jubilee is expected to bring more than 30 million pilgrims to Rome to celebrate the Holy Year.

“According to some experts, what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide,” the pope said in excerpts published Sunday by the Italian daily La Stampa. (Pope Francis Calls for Investigation to Determine if Israel’s Attacks in Gaza Constitute ‘Genocide’, n.d.)

Reuters notes that last week Francis met at the Vatican with a delegation of former hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, who are advocating for the release of family members and others still being held.

References

Pope Francis calls for investigation to determine if Israel’s attacks in Gaza constitute ‘genocide’. (n.d.). Associated Press News: Breaking News, Latest Headlines and Videos | AP News. Retrieved November 17, 2024, from https://apnews.com/ 

Pope Francis has called for an investigation into the allegations of "experts" about genocide in Gaza. (n.d.). Middle East Eye: News, Opinion, and Analysis | Middle East Eye. Retrieved November 17, 2024, from https://www.middleeasteye.net/ 

Pope Francis suggests international study into possible genocide in Gaza. (n.d.). Reuters. Retrieved November 17, 2024, from https://www.reuters.com/world/ 

Pope: Investigate whether genocide is taking place in Gaza, respect human dignity. (n.d.). Vatican News: News from the Vatican - News about the Church. Retrieved November 17, 2024, from https://www.vaticannews.va/