An investigation has been revealed that the Israeli military is modifying commercial drones produced by Chinese manufacturer DJI to carry out attacks and conduct surveillance operations in Gaza, including strikes on hospitals and shelters.

Sanad’s findings indicate that drones originally intended for civilian and agricultural purposes are being repurposed by Israeli forces for combat use. Among the most frequently adapted models are the DJI Agras, designed for farming, and the DJI Mavic and Avata, typically used for photography and recreation.

The Agras drone, known for its heavy payload capabilities, has been documented dropping bombs in densely populated areas of northern Gaza. Notably, video footage from July 17, 2024, shows a DJI Agras targeting a building used by the Turkish charity IHH in Jabalia—just meters away from a school serving as a shelter and aid distribution centre.

In another case from November, residents in Beit Lahia reported a similar drone strike on a neighborhood where civilians had taken refuge after Israeli shelling hit a nearby UN-operated school.

The Israeli military has not publicly addressed the investigation’s findings, despite outreach from Al Jazeera.

A History of Drone Deployment

DJI drones are not new to the Israeli arsenal. As early as 2018, reports surfaced of Israeli forces deploying DJI Matrice 600 drones to disperse tear gas on protesters during the Great March of Return. However, Sanad suggests that the scale and lethality of drone use in recent operations marks a shift in military strategy—one that increasingly targets civilian spaces under siege conditions.

By late 2024, Gaza’s northern regions were described by UN observers as facing “apocalyptic” humanitarian conditions, amid heavy aerial and ground assaults. Eyewitnesses reported an increase in explosive-laden drones over these areas.

Drones Used for Surveillance and Psychological Warfare

Beyond their offensive capabilities, DJI drones have also been instrumental in surveillance and urban combat operations. Footage reviewed by Sanad shows a DJI Avata drone used to monitor a Palestinian man allegedly forced by Israeli soldiers to serve as a human shield in Shujaiya in December 2023. The man is seen being directed to enter a school while being tracked by drones—a practice that violates international law.

The incident highlights how small, consumer-grade drones are now tools in asymmetric warfare and coercive tactics.

DJI’s Varying Standards

This isn’t the first time DJI’s drones have been used in armed conflict. During the 2022 Russia-Ukraine war, the company faced criticism from both sides. DJI responded by suspending all sales to Russia and Ukraine and implemented geofencing to restrict flight in conflict zones.

No such restrictions have been imposed in the case of Israel’s use of DJI drones.

When questioned by Sanad, DJI reiterated its stance that its products are “for peaceful and civilian use only” and condemned any weaponization. However, the company has not halted sales to Israel nor has it introduced software limitations for drone use over Gaza.

This disparity in response has raised questions about the company’s ethical consistency and accountability.

Conclusion

As conflict in Gaza escalates, the use of off-the-shelf drone technology by a state military underscores the evolving nature of modern warfare—where inexpensive, widely available tools are transformed into instruments of surveillance, coercion, and lethal force. For Palestinians in Gaza, these drones are no longer benign flying gadgets—they’re harbingers of fear, hovering constantly overhead.


By WafricNews Desk.