Recent reports have revealed that the Israeli occupation forces are using an advanced artificial intelligence (AI)-based weapons system in Gaza, co-developed with an Indian defense company. The system, named “Arbel,” is designed to transform machine guns and assault rifles into computerized killing machines, enhancing precision and efficiency through algorithms.
According to documents reviewed by Middle East Eye, the Arbel system has been deployed in Gaza following Israel’s devastating invasion of the territory after the October 7 attacks on southern Israel.
While some defense analysts suggest that the Arbel system may not be as advanced or widely used as other Israeli smart weapons systems like “Lavender” or “The Gospel,” which have reportedly contributed significantly to the staggering death toll in Gaza, Arbel represents a notable development. It directly links India to Israel’s rapidly expanding use of AI warfare in Gaza, with potential ramifications for other conflicts.
The Context of Gaza’s Catastrophe
The deployment of the Arbel system comes amid Israel’s ongoing war crimes in Gaza, which include bombing schools, refugee camps, and hospitals, as well as executing civilians in Gaza’s streets over the past three months.
This war has resulted in unparalleled casualties, with more women and children killed or injured by Israeli fire than in any conflict over the past two decades. Nearly 1,000 Palestinian families have been completely wiped out, according to official data.
To date, the war has claimed over 148,000 Palestinian lives, with tens of thousands more injured, the majority of whom are children and women. Over 10,000 Palestinians remain missing, while the blockade has led to widespread famine and the deaths of dozens of children and elderly individuals. The devastation represents one of the worst humanitarian crises globally.
For over a year, reports have indicated that the Israeli military has been leveraging AI technologies to compile “kill lists” for its operations in Gaza.
What Is the Arbel System?
The Arbel system is marketed as a “revolutionary technology that changes the rules of the game by enhancing the user’s lethality and survivability.” Key features include:
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- Optimizing Firearms: The system upgrades machine guns and assault rifles, including Israeli-made models like Tavor, Carmel, and Negev. It uses algorithms to significantly increase soldiers’ accuracy and efficiency in targeting.
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- Enhanced Kill Accuracy: According to the Israeli weapons company’s website, Arbel triples the precision and lethality of firearms.
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- Integrated Technology: Arbel features rechargeable batteries, a control unit, motion and trigger sensors, and a microprocessor. It operates without requiring a specific optical component and can be mounted on a variety of firearms.
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- Broad Capabilities: The system facilitates rapid, precise, and lethal fire; improves hit probabilities in high-stress combat scenarios; and is effective in diverse terrains and environments.
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- Fire Control: Arbel incorporates an integrated fire-control system that adjusts firing based on the operational scenario.
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- Reduced Collateral Damage: By minimizing stray bullets, the system aims to maximize lethality while purportedly reducing unnecessary ammunition expenditure.
Originally unveiled as a joint project between an Israeli arms manufacturer and Adani Defense Systems, an Indian company, Arbel was introduced at a defense exhibition in Gujarat, India, in October 2022. Like many Israeli weapons systems, the name “Arbel” has biblical origins and is also the name of an Israeli settlement built on the ethnically cleansed Palestinian village of Hittin in 1948.
How Has India Supported Israel’s War in Gaza?
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has provided significant military and logistical support to Israel during its war on Gaza. This support includes:
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January 2024: The Indian government approved the deployment of thousands of Indian workers to Israel to address labor shortages following Israel’s revocation of work permits for tens of thousands of Palestinian laborers after October 7.
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- Reports detailed recruitment efforts in Indian cities like Rohtak and Lucknow, where thousands of workers were screened and interviewed by Israeli officials.
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- Human rights organizations criticized this move, calling it complicity in genocide and ethnic cleansing.
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- February 2024: India reportedly delivered 20 combat drones to Israel. News outlets highlighted the deployment of Hermes 900 drones to support Israel’s war effort against Hamas in Gaza. Analysts noted that these drones, already central to Israel’s reconnaissance and airstrike operations, would enhance Israel’s military capabilities.
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- April 2024: Indian ships transported rocket engines, explosives, and artillery fuel to the Israeli port of Ashdod. In May, Spain blocked the docking of another Indian ship carrying explosives intended for Israel.
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- September 2024: The Indian Supreme Court dismissed a petition seeking to halt military exports to Israel, filed by human rights activists and scholars. The court ruled that such decisions fall under the jurisdiction of the central government and referenced existing international contracts as binding.
The Legal and Ethical Implications of India’s Role
India’s military exports and logistical support for Israel have drawn significant criticism. Human rights advocates argue that this partnership enables Israel’s violations of international law in Gaza, including war crimes and potential acts of genocide.
India’s Supreme Court declined to intervene, citing constitutional limitations, while the Modi government continues to deepen its military alliance with Israel. Notably, India has faced global scrutiny for undermining Palestinian labor rights, providing drones used in airstrikes, and shipping explosive materials to fuel Israel’s war machinery.
