Israel’s military-technology complex has garnered global attention for its exceptional fusion of cutting-edge IT technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and defense capabilities. What makes Israel stand out and maintaining a prestigious position as a global military technology powerhouse is its deep integration of innovation into the very fabric of its defense sector. This tight-knit relationship between the military, academia, and private tech industries creates a feedback loop that continuously drives technological advancements, in various areas particularly in cybersecurity, surveillance, and AI-driven intelligence systems.

This is the first article of a series that will follow about Israel and its technological applications as well as the impact related to the war in Gaza and the surrounding area. This article examines and discusses how Israel’s mobile phone tracking impacts international humanitarian laws regarding civilian protection.

The Global Innovation Index 2023 ranked Israel in the 14th place worldwide and 1st in its region. Israel is a world leader in nine innovation indicators such as university-industry Research and Development (R&D) collaboration, R&D expenditure as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), venture capital deals, Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) patents, Information Technology services exports, and unicorn valuation. Israel’s main innovation strengths are GERD financed abroad, % GDP (rank 1), Gross domestic expenditure on R&D (GERD) performed by business, % GDP (rank 1) and ICT services exports, % total trade (rank 1).

Israeli military has used several digital tools to enhance its military intelligence and strategic goals. One of them is based on mobile phone tracking to monitor the evacuation of Palestinians from several parts of northern Gaza.

Tracking the movement of Palestinians, using mobile phone data to monitor evacuations or movements, is technically feasible but raises complex issues related to accuracy, ethics, and data privacy. Mobile phone tracking has been used in various humanitarian and security contexts, but its application in sensitive conflict zones like Gaza or the West Bank, particularly to monitor evacuations, would need to navigate several challenges:

1. Technical feasibility analysis of mobile phone tracking

Mobile phone tracking works by leveraging a combination of data sources:

• Cell Tower Triangulation: This method can estimate the location of a mobile device by analyzing its connection to multiple cell towers. It is often used for large-scale monitoring but lacks the precision required for specific tracking in high-density, complex environments like urban areas or refugee camps.
• GPS Data from Smartphones: GPS offers much higher accuracy (down to a few meters) and is the preferred method for tracking people via mobile devices. Many applications rely on GPS data, which can be accessed through the device if enabled by the user.
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Signals: In dense environments, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth can also be used to track movements more accurately, though they are generally not scalable in large outdoor evacuations. 
  1. Accuracy and Limitations
• In Urban Areas: In Gaza, for example, where densely packed buildings might interfere with signals, the accuracy of GPS is usually superior to cell tower triangulation. However, GPS data can be jammed or disabled in some conflict scenarios, which would reduce the effectiveness of tracking.
• In Remote or Rural Areas: In more open spaces, mobile tracking via cell towers is less accurate but could still be useful for monitoring broader evacuation trends or large-scale movements.

2. AI and Cybersecurity: The Heart of Israeli Defense

One of Israel’s most significant technological assets is its development in AI, especially in the field of cybersecurity. Units like Unit 8200, Israel’s elite military intelligence division, are pivotal in this effort. Unit 8200 is the equivalent of the U.S. National Security Agency or Britain’s GCHQ, and is the largest single military unit in the Israel Defense Forces. It is descended from early codebreaking and intelligence units formed at the birth of the state of Israel in 1948. As well as spying on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, it operates in all areas, including combat zones, and in wartime is integrated closely with combat command headquarters. Its personnel are selected from young people in their late teens and early 20s, some identified from highly competitive high school programs, and many of whom have gone on to careers in Israel’s booming high-tech and cyber security sector.

They focus on collecting and analyzing signals intelligence and cybersecurity, using AI algorithms to process vast amounts of data in real time. This helps identify and neutralize threats before they manifest, making Israel one of the most secure nations in cyberspace.

AI-powered systems can sift through enormous quantities of data and draw correlations that would otherwise go unnoticed by human analysts. This capability is particularly useful in threat detection, counter-terrorism, and intelligence-gathering operations. By automating the collection, analysis, and response processes, Israel has created an AI-driven surveillance and intelligence apparatus that significantly reduces human error while enhancing operational efficiency.

These AI innovations have broader applications beyond the military, as many veterans from elite units move into the private tech sector, often founding successful cybersecurity companies. This symbiosis between military service and the civilian tech industry strengthens Israel’s technological ecosystem, making it a global hub for cybersecurity and AI development.

Conclusion

Israel’s military-technology complex is unique, blending advanced IT technology, AI, and defence capabilities in ways that few nations can rival. By integrating AI into cybersecurity, and autonomous systems, Israel has crafted a defense infrastructure that is both innovative and highly effective. Finally, this fusion of AI and defence has not only safeguarded the nation but also propelled it to the top of the global defence technology market.

References:

1. Alon Arvatz (2023), The Battle for Your Computer: Israel and the Growth of the Global Cyber-Security Industry, Wiley, ISBN: 978-1-394-17416-4
2. Avin, S. (2021). The Israeli Tech Ecosystem: Veterans, Startups, and Innovation. Journal of Technology and Defense, 38(2), 101-115.
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4. Bachner, M. (2023). Israel’s Military Tech Exports Reach New Highs. The Times of Israel. Retrieved from timesofisrael.com
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6. Gross, J. (2018). Israel’s Iron Dome: A Missile Defense Success Story. Journal of Military Technology, 12(4), 78-95.
7. Israel ranking in the Global Innovation Index 2023, Global Innovation Index 2023, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) https://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/wipo-pub-2000-2023/il.pdf
8. Levy, G. (2023). Drones and Autonomous Systems in Israeli Warfare. Military Technology International, 44(3), 98-110.
9. Tirosh, E. (2022). AI in Israeli Cyber Defense: Innovation and Real-Time Responses. Cybersecurity Journal, 18(3), 25-40.
10. Weiss, M. (2020). Real-Time Testing: Israel’s Battle-Lab Approach. Foreign Affairs, 34(1), 12-24.