Israel Deploys Booby-Trapped Robots in Northern Gaza

The Israeli army has escalated its military operations in northern Gaza by deploying booby-trapped robots equipped with explosives, causing mass destruction and civilian casualties.

According to multiple testimonies collected by Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, these robots have been remotely detonated, destroying homes and buildings, while emergency and medical services struggle to reach the affected areas.

Israel’s military has isolated the northern Gaza Governorate from Gaza City by using sand barriers, destroyed rubble, and heavy military presence. Drone fire provides additional cover for these operations, significantly disrupting the efforts of civil defense and ambulance teams.

Reports indicate that the robots have been detonated in several residential areas, including Jabalia camp, leading to large explosions that destroyed multiple homes. These incidents have resulted in a significant loss of life, though exact figures are difficult to confirm due to the ongoing disruption of services in the region. Testimonies describe the explosions as louder and more destructive than typical airstrikes.

In his testimony to the Euro-Med Monitor team, one of the people trapped in an area near the Al-Qassabi neighborhood, southwest of Jabalia camp in the northern Gaza Strip, said: "On Wednesday evening (9 October), a huge explosion occurred in the Al-Qassabi neighborhood, close to where we were. There was an enormous explosion sound. That was the loudest I have ever heard it. We can now differentiate between different explosion sounds, so we can determine if this sound is coming from artillery, aircraft, or another source. In fact, the sound of the explosion was actually louder than the sound of air strikes, to the point that white dust covered the entire area. It was subsequently discovered that this explosion was caused by a robot equipped with tons of explosives, destroying roughly six or seven houses at once. Regardless of whether civilians are inside the houses or not, the occupation army blows up the robot."

The use of these booby-trapped robots has drawn criticism for violating international law. These weapons are considered indiscriminate, making it impossible to limit their damage to military targets, leading to the deaths of civilians and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. The Euro-Med Monitor team has reported that this method of warfare is illegal under international humanitarian law, particularly in densely populated residential areas.

In addition to the deployment of robots, Israeli forces have intensified the destruction of homes and civilian infrastructure using airstrikes and planted explosives. An estimated 400,000 people in northern Gaza are facing dire conditions, with many living among the debris of destroyed homes. Starvation is also becoming a serious threat, as Israel continues to prevent the entry of humanitarian supplies, leaving residents trapped without access to food or basic necessities.

Human rights organizations are calling for urgent international intervention to halt these attacks and protect the civilian population of northern Gaza from further violence and starvation.