Microsoft confirms AI support for Israeli military, denies Gaza use

In a blog post published Thursday, Microsoft acknowledged its involvement in the war following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that killed around 1,200 Israelis and triggered a war in Gaza, where tens of thousands have since died. This marks the company’s first public statement on its support to Israel’s military.

The announcement comes months after an Associated Press investigation revealed Microsoft's previously undisclosed ties with Israel’s Ministry of Defense, showing a sharp increase in the military’s use of Microsoft’s AI services after the October assault. The military reportedly used Microsoft’s Azure platform to process surveillance data, which could be integrated with its AI-driven targeting systems.

While Microsoft said its support included cloud services, translation tools, and cyber defense assistance, it also stressed that the help was limited, selectively approved, and aimed at saving hostages. The company claimed it had not found evidence that its technologies were used to intentionally target civilians or violate its ethical use policies.

Prompted by employee protests and media scrutiny, Microsoft launched an internal review and hired an external firm for further investigation. However, the company has not disclosed the name of the external firm, the full report, or whether Israeli officials were consulted during the process.

The blog post also noted Microsoft lacks visibility into how its products are used once deployed on customer servers or third-party platforms, limiting its ability to fully track their usage in war zones.

Israel’s military also has cloud and AI contracts with other U.S. tech giants including Google, Amazon, and Palantir. Like its competitors, Microsoft said it enforces usage restrictions through its Acceptable Use Policy and AI Code of Conduct, asserting that no violations had been identified.

Experts say Microsoft’s statement sets a notable precedent in corporate responsibility. Emelia Probasco of Georgetown University remarked it is rare for a tech company to impose ethical usage terms on a government engaged in active conflict.

Nevertheless, critics remain skeptical. “No Azure for Apartheid,” a group of Microsoft employees and alumni, accused the company of attempting to polish its image rather than address real accountability concerns. Former employee Hossam Nasr, who was fired after organizing a vigil for Palestinians, criticized the company for not releasing the full investigation report.

Cindy Cohn of the Electronic Frontier Foundation welcomed Microsoft’s partial transparency but emphasized that many questions remain unanswered—especially regarding how Israeli forces are using Microsoft tools in military operations that have led to high civilian casualties.

Israeli raids, such as one in Rafah in February and another in Nuseirat in June, have rescued hostages but resulted in hundreds of Palestinian deaths, fueling continued debate over the ethical implications of AI in modern warfare, reports UNB.