An investigation by Al Jazeera’s Sanad verification agency has revealed that Israel has been retrofitting commercial drones, manufactured by the Chinese company DJI, for military purposes, targeting hospitals and civilian shelters in Gaza.
DJI drones, originally designed for civilian use—particularly for agricultural applications—have been repurposed and used to launch dangerous explosives and for surveillance against Palestinians.
The investigation found that various models of DJI drones, including the DJI Mavic and DJI Avata, have been redesigned for reconnaissance, target acquisition, and for navigating and mapping the tunnel network beneath Gaza.
These modified drones have been used in attacks, particularly focusing on hospitals and civilian shelters, as well as for monitoring Palestinian prisoners allegedly used as human shields. This highlights the misuse of commercial drone technology in military conflicts.
Hamushim, an Israeli campaign group, revealed that Israeli military-trained operators used DJI’s Matrice 600 model to drop tear gas on civilian protesters during the Great March of Return in Gaza. Additionally, footage shared on July 17, 2024, documents a DJI Agras drone dropping a bomb onto the IHH Turkish charity’s building in Jabalia, northern Gaza—less than 100 meters (330 feet) from a school serving as a shelter and aid distribution center.
Previously, DJI suspended all sales to certain countries after Ukrainian officials accused the company of sharing data with Russian forces during the 2022 Ukraine-Russia war. In response, DJI released software modifications restricting where its drones could be used. However, the company has not restricted its sales to Israel, and the allegations against it have been consistently rejected by authorities.
In response to Sanad’s inquiries, DJI stated that their products are intended solely for peaceful and civilian use, and that they “absolutely deplore and condemn the use of [DJI] products to cause harm anywhere in the world.”
