Israeli Military Uses Facial Recognition Technology in Gaza to Identify Wanted Persons
In a shocking revelation, it has been uncovered that the Israeli military has been using facial recognition technology in Gaza to identify and detain individuals suspected of having ties to militant groups. The program, which was started late last year, has been used to conduct mass surveillance in the region, collecting and cataloging the faces of Palestinians without their knowledge or consent.
One such case involves Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha, who was picked out by the facial recognition program while passing through an Israeli military checkpoint along Gaza’s central highway. Within minutes, he was blindfolded and led away for interrogation, despite having no ties to the militant group Hamas and simply trying to leave Gaza for Egypt.
The technology, which is run by Israel’s military intelligence unit, relies on technology from Corsight, a private Israeli company, and Google Photos. It allows Israel to pick faces out of crowds and grainy drone footage, leading to the identification of wanted persons.
While some countries use facial recognition technology for convenience, Israel’s use of it in Gaza for security purposes has raised concerns about privacy and human rights violations. Amnesty International researcher Matt Mahmoudi expressed worry that the technology could lead to the dehumanization of Palestinians, as they are not seen as individuals but rather as potential threats.
The Israeli army declined to comment on the specific activities in Gaza but stated that they carry out necessary security and intelligence operations while minimizing harm to the uninvolved population.
Facial recognition technology has become increasingly prevalent worldwide, with some countries using it for surveillance and control. Israel’s use of the technology in Gaza for security purposes highlights the controversial nature of such programs and their potential impact on individuals’ rights and freedoms.
