Doctor reports Israeli drones targeted injured civilians in Gaza

What happened

Prof. Dr. Nizam Mamode, a British organ transplant specialist who worked in Gaza for one month between August and September 2024, testified to the British Parliament's International Development Committee that drones targeted injured civilians on the ground. Mamode stated that after bombs fell on crowded areas, drones would arrive and strike children and civilians lying on the ground, occurring daily.

Mamode described treating patients with multiple gunshot wounds from drone strikes. He observed cases with 3-4 bullet wounds on the left side of the chest, 3-4 on the right side, and 3-4 in the groin area, suggesting to him that the drones were either fully or semi-autonomous. Approximately 70 percent of patients Mamode treated were women and children.

Reported impact

Mamode stated that civilians were being deliberately targeted. He noted that drone missiles penetrated the body and moved inside it, causing multiple wounds. Mamode also reported that medical facilities where his team was staying were targeted, forcing them to remain in the hospital.

Index analysis

The testimony suggests the use of autonomous or semi-autonomous systems, as Mamode observed firing patterns he described as too rapid and accurate to be easily achieved by human operators. The concentration of wounds in multiple body areas indicated systematic targeting rather than incidental injuries.

Classification

Organizations

Israeli Defence Forces (subject), Prof. Dr. Nizam Mamode (mentioned)

Category

Safety and wellbeing

Industry

Government, security and defence

Country

Palestine

Harm status

Actual harm

Intent

Intentional

Timing

Unknown

Harm types

Human or fundamental rights, Physical death, Physical injury

Harmed

Children, General public

Failure modes

Unsafe autonomous behaviour

AI systems

Israeli military drones

Sources and evidence