Witnesses say Israel is using sniper drones in Gaza and they're shooting civilians

Summary

Consider This from NPR: Witnesses Say Israel Is Using Sniper Drones in Gaza and They're Shooting Civilians
Release Date: November 20, 2024

In this gripping episode of NPR's "Consider This," the hosts delve into alarming eyewitness accounts and expert analyses surrounding the use of sniper drones by the Israeli military in Gaza. The episode paints a vivid picture of the devastation wrought by these advanced weapon systems and explores their implications for modern warfare and civilian safety.

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Testimonies from Medical Professionals

Dr. Nizam Mahmoud's Insight ([00:01])
Dr. Nizam Mahmoud, a retired transplant surgeon from England, shares his harrowing experiences volunteering at Nasser Hospital in central Gaza during August and September. Mahmoud recently testified before the UK's Parliamentary International Development Committee, describing unprecedented levels of destruction:
"Of all the conflicts I have worked in, including the Rwandan genocide, I have never seen anything like what is happening in Gaza." ([05:04])

Dr. Ahmed Mugrabi's Account ([00:10] - [03:03])
Dr. Ahmed Mugrabi, head surgeon at Nasser Hospital, provides a first-hand account of the devastation:
"You see a landscape that looks as though it reminded me of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Devastation. Buildings reduced to rubble for miles around. As far as you can see, nothing growing, no people. A few." ([00:24])
He details the terror induced by constant drone activity, emphasizing the deliberate targeting of civilians:
"The drones would come down and pick off civilians, children... this was day after day." ([02:09])

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Eyewitness Accounts from Gaza

Fatima Adama's Voice Note ([05:54])
37-year-old freelance journalist Fatima Adama from Jabalia recounts her terrifying encounters with sniper drones:
"If I try to go closer to the door to get better service, the quadcopter starts shooting and I have to go back inside. It's very dangerous."
Her description underscores the omnipresent threat of these drones in daily life.

Adib Shakhfa's Tragedy ([05:54] - [06:50])
55-year-old Adib Shakhfa narrates a tragic incident where his son and two men assisting him were killed by a drone:
"I was walking with my 32-year-old son... suddenly a drone appeared and shot my son... two men rushed in to help and they were also shot. Two older women nearby were also shot in the head." ([05:54])

Other Civilian Experiences ([07:43] - [12:51])
Multiple accounts from residents in Beylah and Gaza City describe drones targeting civilians during rescue operations and hospital visits. For instance, a UK doctor treated over 20 injuries in a single day, including a child who succumbed to a neck shot:
"Sniper drones have become so common in the war, and once technology exists, it rarely goes away." ([12:51])

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Israeli Military Response and Denials

The Israeli military has consistently denied awareness or involvement in incidents targeting civilians:
"The Israeli military told NPR it's unaware of this incident and that any suggestion that it intends to harm civilians is, quote, unfounded and baseless." ([05:54])
Furthermore, when asked about the use of sniper drones, the military has not responded, leading to increased skepticism and concern.

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Understanding Sniper Drone Technology

Kat Lansdorf's Reporting ([05:39] - [10:52])
NPR correspondent Kat Lansdorf provides an in-depth look at the sniper drone technology allegedly used in Gaza. She references videos from companies like Duke Robotics and SmartShooter, showcasing drones equipped with rifles capable of precise targeting:
"On Smart Shooter's website, it says it uses artificial intelligence and machine learning technology to provide one shot, one hit precision." ([08:02])

These drones, often referred to as quadcopters by Gaza residents, can engage targets remotely, adjusting for recoil and ensuring high precision. However, the reliance on artificial intelligence raises concerns about the potential for erroneous targeting.

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Expert Analysis on the Future of Warfare

Seth Jones on Military Caution ([07:43] - [08:12])
Seth Jones, President of the Defense and Security Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, highlights the Israeli military's reluctance to disclose operational details:
"Israel, like many militaries, is very cautious about what kinds of information it provides about its operations and tactics." ([07:55])
He suggests that this secrecy complicates public understanding and oversight of such technologies.

James Rogers on Ethical Implications ([10:20] - [10:40])
James Rogers, an expert on drone warfare at Cornell University, warns about the diminishing human oversight in lethal operations:
"We're reaching a point where there are increasingly diminished human oversight over the practice of killing in war, and also the decision-making process around who lives or dies." ([10:20])
He underscores that even with precise weaponry, flawed intelligence can lead to tragic mistakes:
"If your intelligence is wrong, then all that precision... means the guaranteed death of the wrong person." ([10:40])

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Conclusion: The Evolution of Modern Warfare

The episode concludes with a reflection on the irreversible nature of technological advancements in warfare:
"The reality is this is an evolution in the character of war. So I don't think we're going to turn around and go the other direction." ([12:51])
Kat Lansdorf posits that sniper drones may well represent the future of conflict, raising urgent questions about accountability, civilian safety, and ethical standards in military operations.

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Key Takeaways

• Human Impact: Eyewitnesses and medical professionals reveal the devastating effects of sniper drones on civilians in Gaza.
• Technological Advancements: Israeli sniper drones, equipped with advanced targeting systems, represent a significant evolution in military tactics.
• Ethical Concerns: Experts highlight the moral dilemmas posed by reduced human oversight in lethal decision-making.
• Lack of Transparency: The Israeli military's silence on drone deployment fosters distrust and uncertainty among observers and victims.
• Future of Warfare: The integration of AI and robotics in combat suggests a shift towards automated and potentially less accountable forms of warfare.

This episode of "Consider This" underscores the complex interplay between technology, ethics, and human suffering in modern conflicts, urging listeners to consider the profound implications of drone warfare on global peace and security.

Transcript

[Dr. Nizam Mahmoud]

Nizam Mahmoud, a soft spoken retired transplant surgeon from England, spent August and September volunteering at Nasser Hospital in central Gaza.

[Dr. Ahmed Mugrabi]

When we crossed the border, the first thing was really a complete sense of shock.

[Dr. Nizam Mahmoud]

That's Mahmood last week testifying before the UK's Parliamentary International Development Committee.

[Dr. Ahmed Mugrabi]

You see a landscape that looks as though it reminded me of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Devastation. Buildings reduced to rubble for miles around. As far as you can see, nothing growing, no people. A few.

[Dr. Nizam Mahmoud]

Dr. Mahmoud described the designated Green Zone.

[Dr. Ahmed Mugrabi]

And a large part of it comprises of tents. And when I say tents, some of those are proper tents. Many of them are just pieces of carpet and plastic stuck onto sticks. And these are in the middle of the road, side of the road, every possible space. There's no running water, no sanitation, no electricity.

[Dr. Nizam Mahmoud]

Obviously, at times overcome by emotion, the doctor spoke about what he heard.

[Dr. Ahmed Mugrabi]

Well, the sound is mainly of two things. One is drones. So there's constant drones. The drones existed before October last year. It's been a feature of Palestinian life for some time. But now the drones inspire fear, I think, and they inspired fear in me.

[Dr. Nizam Mahmoud]

He spoke about what he saw.

[Dr. Ahmed Mugrabi]

So the drones would come down and pick off civilians, children. And we had description after description. This is not know an occasional thing. This was day after day.

[Dr. Nizam Mahmoud]

You spoke about how those drones operated.

[Dr. Ahmed Mugrabi]

The bullets that the drones fire are these small cuboid pellets. And I fished a number of those out of the abdomen of small children. I think the youngest I operated on was a three year old and what.

[Dr. Nizam Mahmoud]

That meant for the victims.

[Dr. Ahmed Mugrabi]

And these pellets were in a way more destructive than bullets. Because with the drone pellets what I found was they would go in and they would bounce around so they would cause multiple injuries. So I had a seven year old boy, the one I described earlier, who gave a very clear description. He had an entry point here. He came in with his stomach hanging out of his chest. He had an injury to his liver, spleen, bowel, arteries. So quite extensive destruction from a single entry point.

[Dr. Nizam Mahmoud]

The drones firing those bullets are a new kind of weapon of war in the Israeli arsenal. One with a gun and a camera attached that can shoot remotely. People in Gaza refer to it as a quadcopter.

[Dr. Ahmed Mugrabi]

This was day after day after day operating on children who would say, I was lying on the ground after a bomber dropped and this quadcopter came down and hovered over me and shot me. And that's clearly a deliberate act and it was a persistent act, persistent targeting of civilians.

[Dr. Nizam Mahmoud]

Consider this. For months NPR has been collecting eyewitness accounts from Gaza that corroborate Dr. Mahmood's testimony, saying the Israeli military has been using sniper drone technology and that they are not just shooting enemies, but also civilians. From NPR, I'm Mary Louise Kelly.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

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[Dr. Nizam Mahmoud]

It's considered this from NPR. Dr. Nizam Mahmoud told the UK Parliament that of all the conflicts he has worked in, including the Rwandan genocide, he has never seen anything like what is happening in Gaza.

[Dr. Ahmed Mugrabi]

There just seems to be 1.4 million people trapped. They can't leave. And having bombs dropped on them on a daily basis and then drones coming in and shooting them. And there's plenty of evidence out there from Israeli soldiers that that's what's going on.

[Dr. Nizam Mahmoud]

NPR spoke to several eyewitnesses who have seen the destruction that these drones can cause. NPR's Kat Lansdorf has been reporting from Tel Aviv, and she takes the story from here. A warning. This piece includes the sound of gunfire.

[Kat Lansdorf]

37 year old Fatima Adama is a freelance journalist from Jabalia in northern Gaza. It's an area that has been besieged by Israeli forces since early October. Adama sent NPR voice notes from her home there on October 9th. Hi, how are you? She starts. Israeli tanks are closing in, she says, and the army is nearby. Suddenly, she's interrupted. Ah, hear that? She says. That's the quadcopter. It's what many in Gaza call the small hovering drone with a rifle mounted underneath. If I try to go closer to the door to get better service, she says, the quadcopter starts shooting and I have to go back inside. It's very dangerous. The whole town is under siege by the shooting quadcopter drones, she says. No one can move. For months, NPR has collected accounts from more than a dozen people in Gaza who say they have seen these sniper drones and that they've seen them used to shoot and sometimes kill civilians. 55 year old Adib Shakhfa says he was walking with his 32 year old son on May 31 in Rafah in southern Gaza. Shakhfa says it was a quiet day, there was no fighting nearby when suddenly a drone appeared and shot his son who was walking up ahead. He says two men rushed in to help his son and they were also shot. Two older women nearby were also shot in the head, he says. Shakhfat says the women were killed, so was his son. The Israeli military told NPR it's unaware of this incident and that any suggestion that it intends to harm civilians is, quote, unfounded and baseless. NPR also asked the Israeli military repeatedly if it was using the sniper drone technology in Gaza. It did not respond to the question.

[Seth Jones]

Israel, frankly, like many militaries, is very cautious about what kinds of information it provides about its operations and tactics that it uses.

[Kat Lansdorf]

Seth Jones is president of the Defense and Security Department at the center for Strategic and International studies in Washington, D.C.

[Seth Jones]

But also makes it more difficult for everyday Israelis or journalists or other researchers to understand how these things are being used.

[Kat Lansdorf]

Further complicating that understanding, until recently, Israel had a censorship law in place forbidding the media from reporting on armed drone use by the military, and it's something most journalists can't witness with their own eyes. Israel has not allowed outside journalists independent access to Gaza since the war began more than a year ago. But we do know that this sniper drone technology exists and that the Israeli military has it. This is a video from 2018 by Duke Robotics Incorporated Robotics presents for a small drone they call Tkad Tcad, the Future Soldier, which can be outfitted with several different firearms. Robots are replacing combat soldiers and shoot while it hovers, adjusting for the recoil of the weapon. The company is in the process of implementing orders from Israeli forces. Duke Robotics is based in Florida in the US but was established by veterans of several Israeli Special forces units. Around that same time, Israel's Defense Ministry released a video showing off new technology, including soldiers controlling one of Duke's sniper drones remotely and firing at targets at an outdoor shooting range. Then in 2021, Duke Robotics joined with an Israeli company, Elbit Systems, specifically to further develop the TCAD drone and market it globally. And there are other sniper drones on the market too, also by Israeli companies. In 2022, a company called SmartShooter, based in northern Israel, announced a drone called Smash dragon in this YouTube video. In a video posted by the company, a small drone with a rifle barrel attached takes flight. The video then zooms in through the viewfinder to show the drone locking in on a human shaped target before taking a shot. SmartShooter denies that their Smash Dragon drone is being used by the Israeli military, but Israeli forces have touted using their technology in the past and other products by the company are partially funded by Israel's Defense Ministry research and development. On Smart Shooter's website, it says it uses artificial intelligence and machine learning technology to provide one shot, one hit precision.

[James Rogers]

I would argue we're reaching a point where there are increasingly diminished human oversight over the practice of killing in war, and also the decision making process around who lives or dies.

[Kat Lansdorf]

James Rogers is an expert on drone warfare and emerging technologies at Cornell University. He points out that precision can be.

[James Rogers]

Good, but no matter how precise your weapon systems are, if your intelligence is wrong, then all that precision that guaranteed destruction of the target means is the guaranteed death of the wrong person.

[Ira Glass]

The gunshot of the quadraptor has a special sound Has a special sound.

[Kat Lansdorf]

Dr. Ahmed Mugrabi is a head surgeon at Nasser Hospital in central Gaza. He says he's treated many people shot by the sniper quadcopter drone.

[Ira Glass]

They used to shoot at the displaced people inside the hospital and they killed many people actually.

[Kat Lansdorf]

Back in early February, Nasser Hospital was a focus of the Israeli military, saying Hamas fighters were hiding there. On February 1, Dr. Mogravi says he and his co worker, a male nurse, stepped out onto a balcony after finishing a long surgery.

[Ira Glass]

The quadcopter actually shooted my my nurse friend beside me.

[Kat Lansdorf]

A drone shot the nurse in the chest. Dr. Mugrabi sent us a video he filmed that day. Colleagues rush the nurse into an operating room as blood blooms around a bullet wound on his right chest. Quickly, quickly, Dr. Mugrabi says as others cut away the nurse's clothing to operate. The nurse survived. The Israeli military told NPR it was unaware of this incident as well. Here are just a few of the other stories we heard. Several people we talked to in Beylah in the north described sniper drones recently shooting at civilians as they rushed to help pull people from the rubble after an Israeli airstrike leveled a building full of families. One man said a sniper drone entered his house with his family inside, started shooting, forcing them to flee. One doctor from the UK Described sniper drones firing on people as they tried to enter a hospital in Gaza City where he was working. He told NPR he saw more than 20 injuries in one day from the drones, including one child shot in the neck who later died. Although there's been very little reporting on these drones, people in Gaza talk about them a lot. Most people we talked to brought up these attacks offhandedly. Sniper drones seem to have become so common in the war, and as Seth Jones points out, once technology exists, it rarely goes away.

[Seth Jones]

The reality is this is an evolution in the character of war. So I don't think we're going to turn around and go the other direction.

[Kat Lansdorf]

This might very well be the future of warfare.

[Dr. Nizam Mahmoud]

That was NPR's Kat Lansdorf. This episode was produced by Lauren Hodges and Brianna Scott. It was edited by James Hyder and Courtney Dorning. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun. It's Consider this from npr. I'm Mary Louise Kelly.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

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