Medical imaging and forensic analysis of deaths and injuries treated by co-author Dr. Syed and her colleagues in Gaza between August and September 2024 suggest a pattern of highly precise and troubling applications of lethal force utilizing small tactical “sniper” drones against children. Ninety percent of the 18 cases of child death or injury by gunshots documented by Dr. Syed were reported to be fired by quadcopters, per witnesses who brought the injured or killed children into the hospital. Most of the wounds were caused by single small caliber rounds to the head, neck, chest, or abdomen. Given this pattern of single-shot precision, these types of wounds strongly suggest targeting that fails to discriminate civilians from combatants.

The report contains radiological images or forensic sketches of photographs for five specific cases that Dr. Syed documented between August to September 2024. These cases provide evidence of certain types of trauma patterns that suggest these children were shot by IDF quadcopters, noting that this casualty pattern likely extends beyond these five cases to many other cases of children killed and injured by Israeli military action.

Although there has been media coverage on the use of lethal force by small tactical drones in Gaza, no reports have yet been published with an interdisciplinary and methodologically rigorous approach. This report’s in-depth analysis of small tactical drone technology, employment and targeting methodologies, medical, ballistic, and forensic analysis, and legal implications of their use in Gaza sheds new light on this pressing international issue of civilian harm in armed conflict. It also includes recommendations to the U.S. as a global leader in drone technologies and the largest supplier of arms to Israel.