Gaza Herald – The European-Mediterranean Monitor for Human Rights stated that the Israeli occupation army continues to utilize armed quadcopter drones to carry out deliberate killings of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. The organization documented in a statement on Saturday that at least 60 civilians were killed by these aircraft or their munitions since the ceasefire entered into force on October 10, 2025, until early September 2026.
The monitor emphasized that the repetition of these incidents after the ceasefire, specifically targeting children, displaced persons, farmers, and shepherds, reveals a continuous pattern of intentional civilian killing. It noted that Israel employs military technology allowing for the precise tracking and identification of individuals despite their clear civilian status.
Quadcopters are described as small tactical multi-rotor drones operable by a single soldier, equipped with day and night cameras and target tracking systems. They can be fitted with weapons ranging from 5.56mm to 40mm explosives, enabling operators to monitor individuals closely before striking with high precision.
The report argued that these technical capabilities narrow the margin of error significantly, thereby increasing the obligation to refrain from attack when civilian nature is apparent. Repeated killings of non-combatants provide strong evidence of intent to choose civilians as targets rather than accidental errors.
Field monitoring identified three main usage patterns: direct shooting at visible individuals, dropping explosives on civilian gatherings, and enforcing fire control near the so-called Yellow Line by targeting those attempting to access homes or land.
The monitor highlighted that children were among the victims, citing a Brown University study confirming similar injury patterns. A father of an eleven-year-old victim detailed how his son was hit by shrapnel while returning from collecting food aid, resulting in permanent disability due to delayed medical evacuation.
The organization concluded that such attacks constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. It called on the international community to take immediate action to stop these crimes and preserve all evidence, including flight data and operator records, for potential prosecution.
This report was produced in the Gaza Herald newsroom.
