Israel Deploys AI for West Bank Demolitions
Israel has introduced the AI system ImiSight to monitor and target Palestinian structures in the West Bank, leading to a surge in demolitions and raising questions about the ethics of automated military tools. The technology, originally used in the Negev desert, now supports a broader strategy of s…
By Felo News Desk · Published
Israel has moved beyond using artificial intelligence (AI) in its Gaza operations and now applies the technology in the occupied West Bank. The system, called ImiSight and produced by the defense company Rafael, scans satellite imagery and on‑ground data to flag structures that the Israeli authorities deem illegal. Once identified, bulldozers often follow the AI’s recommendations, accelerating the demolition of Palestinian homes and the displacement of residents.
From the Negev to the West Bank
ImiSight first appeared in the Negev desert, where it monitored Bedouin villages that the Israeli government does not officially recognize. The Bedouin community, largely denied building permits, has faced repeated demolitions. Activists argue that the AI system is a tool of discrimination, designed to push the Bedouins out so that new Jewish settlements can be built on their land.
In April 2025, the Israel Land Authority (ILA) created a dedicated enforcement unit to operate in the West Bank. Peace Now, an Israeli rights group, called the move a step toward annexation. The unit uses AI to detect “encroachments” and to justify demolitions in areas where Palestinians struggle to obtain permits.
Rapid Processing and Edge Computing
Satellite technology has also evolved. Khaled Safi, a Palestinian tech expert, explained that newer satellites can process images using AI directly in orbit. This “edge computing” approach means that data is analyzed immediately, bypassing the delay of sending it to a ground data center. The result is a faster loop from detection to demolition.
According to Israeli media, ImiSight has surveyed more than 10,700 square kilometres in the Negev, contributing to the forced eviction of over 2,600 Bedouin citizens. The same level of automation is now affecting the West Bank.
Surge in Demolitions
Human rights groups Peace Now and Kerem Navot have documented an 80% increase in demolitions in Area C of the West Bank and East Jerusalem between 2010‑2022 and 2023‑2025. The average number of buildings razed annually from 2023 to 2025 was 966, with 1,288 structures destroyed between January and September 2025 alone.
Amir Daoud, head of documentation at the Colonisation and Wall Resistance Commission, said the AI system acts as a “force multiplier,” allowing the government to lower the cost of executing displacement. He warned that the algorithm reduces a human decision to a probability score, effectively removing accountability.
Settler Support and Ethical Risks
The Israeli government invested 33 million shekels ($9 million) in 2023 to support settler patrols and 40 million shekels ($13.2 million) to equip outposts with drones and cameras. These patrols feed data into the AI, turning illegal outposts into intelligence nodes. Safi cautioned that a “human‑out‑of‑the‑loop” approach risks turning life‑and‑death decisions into mere statistical calculations, allowing responsibility to be diffused across algorithms and institutions.
Between 2023 and 2025, Israel planned over 40,000 settler housing units and established 185 new outposts—illegal under international law. In the same period, 118 Palestinian shepherding communities were expelled. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and Peace Now estimate that roughly 750,000 Israeli settlers live in the occupied territories, with 1,836 attacks on Palestinians recorded in 2025 alone.
These developments coincide with the launch of an online land registry in Area C, which Palestinian authorities and the Colonisation and Wall Resistance Commission have condemned as a digital tool designed to finalize annexation.
Future Implications
While the Israeli defense industry benefits from training its AI algorithms in the West Bank, the technology also poses a global threat. Safi warned that the system could be sold to commercial companies worldwide, potentially enabling other governments or actors to use similar tools for surveillance and displacement.
As of now, Israeli military officials and the developers of ImiSight have not responded to inquiries. The continued use of AI in the West Bank raises urgent questions about the legality, ethics, and long‑term consequences of automated military decision‑making in occupied territories.
Ultimately, the deployment of ImiSight in the West Bank illustrates how technology can be weaponised to enforce occupation policies, accelerate forced displacement, and erode human rights protections.
Key facts
- Israel’s AI tool ImiSight is now used to target Palestinian structures in the West Bank.
- The system accelerated demolitions, with 1,288 buildings destroyed in the first nine months of 2025.
- AI processing is now done in orbit, speeding the detection‑to‑action cycle.
- Settler patrols feed data into the AI, turning illegal outposts into intelligence hubs.
- The technology risks turning human decisions into algorithmic probabilities, diluting accountability.
- The system could be commercialised, spreading the risk beyond Israel.
Why it matters
The use of AI to identify and demolish Palestinian homes represents a new frontier in automated military enforcement, raising serious legal and ethical concerns about accountability and the protection of civilians in conflict zones.
Frequently asked questions
What is ImiSight?
ImiSight is an AI‑powered surveillance system developed by the Israeli defense company Rafael, designed to analyse satellite and on‑ground imagery to identify structures deemed illegal by Israeli authorities.
How does the AI affect demolitions?
The AI flags structures that violate building regulations, prioritises targets, and provides data that can be used by bulldozers to carry out demolitions more quickly and efficiently.
Why is this controversial?
It raises concerns about human rights, as the system can be used to forcibly displace Palestinian residents without adequate legal safeguards or human oversight.
Sources
- [1] aljazeera.com — originally reported as “Israel weaponises AI for West Bank demolitions”
