Germany leverages Gaza as a experimental ground for technology innovation

Germany leverages Gaza as a experimental ground for technology innovation

In recent years, Israel has been at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its military operations. The 2021 Gaza offensive, codenamed "Operation Guardian of the Walls," was described by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as the world's "first AI warfare experience."

During this operation, advanced AI systems like "Gospel," "Lavender," and potentially "Where's Daddy" were employed to enhance situational awareness and accelerate decision-making processes. These systems facilitate rapid target identification and recommendation, often with minimal human oversight. However, their use has raised concerns regarding civilian casualties and compliance with international humanitarian law.

"Gospel" and "Lavender" are designed to rapidly cross-reference intelligence databases and surveillance feeds to generate strike recommendations. They were reportedly used to speed up operations against militant targets during conflicts like the 2021 Gaza offensive. However, critics argue that such algorithm-driven targeting can lead to higher civilian casualties if the data is flawed.

"Where's Daddy" is a system mentioned alongside "Gospel" and "Lavender," but specific details about its deployment during "Operation Guardian of the Walls" are less clear.

The deployment of these AI systems in conflicts has highlighted the need for stronger international regulations to govern their use. Concerns include the lack of clear legal frameworks to ensure compliance with humanitarian law and prevent indiscriminate targeting of civilians. There is a call for establishing a legal framework to regulate AI systems in military contexts to mitigate these risks.

Meanwhile, Germany, through its Federal Interior Ministry, has been in negotiations for the Cyber and Security Pact with Israel. The goal of this pact is to expand military, intelligence, and cyber cooperation. This cooperation could potentially involve former employees of Israel's Unit 8200, a military intelligence unit known for its expertise in cyber warfare and surveillance.

However, the exact negotiating position for the Cyber and Security Pact has not yet been agreed upon, and the German government has provided no details about it.

Elnet, a pro-Israeli lobby organization, sees Israel as an innovation engine and Germany as a lucrative security market. German companies such as Dussmann, Rohde & Schwarz, Lufthansa Technik Defense, and Renk are involved in this collaboration.

Elnet has also launched the "Security and Defense Initiative" (Esdi), focusing on AI, drones, space, nano, and biotechnology.

The use of AI in military operations is not without controversy. Hewlett Packard supplies servers for Israeli control authorities like COGAT, and Microsoft operates its largest data center outside the US in Israel, providing IT infrastructure for the military, police, prisons, and illegal settlements as part of the "Nimbus" project.

An investigation revealed that the Unit 8200 has developed an AI-based language model trained on billions of intercepted conversations of Palestinians. The government of Israel is also building an extensive digital propaganda machine using AI and social media to counter waning Western support for its Gaza policy. Since March 2025, the government has been running a "Media War Room" that monitors online content and automatically spreads counter-narratives.

These developments have sparked international concern and calls for greater transparency and regulation in the use of AI in military operations. As the world continues to advance in AI technology, it is crucial to ensure that its use adheres to international humanitarian law and respects the rights of all civilians.

1. The integration of artificial-intelligence (AI) into Israel's military operations, as demonstrated in the 2021 Gaza offensive, includes systems like "Gospel," "Lavender," and potentially "Where's Daddy."
2. "Gospel" and "Lavender" are designed to cross-reference intelligence databases and surveillance feeds for strike recommendations, potentially leading to quicker operations against militant targets.
3. Concerns about the use of these AI systems in conflicts involve compliance with international humanitarian law and the prevention of indiscriminate targeting of civilians.
4. Israel and Germany are negotiating the Cyber and Security Pact, which could potentially involve collaboration in AI, cyber warfare, and surveillance, potentially with the involvement of former Israeli Unit 8200 employees.

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