The use of Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) in the investigation of targeted killings in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

This thesis explores the application of Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) as an innovative and accessible tool for investigating targeted killings within the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Targeted killings have been a contentious element of Israel’s strategy to combat terrorism in this protracted conflict, frequently justified as necessary defence measures against threats posed by Palestinian militants. Increasingly, OSINT has become instrumental in investigations on the matter, by providing alternative perspectives on the circumstances and legitimacy of each operation. This analysis aims to bridge three primary themes: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Israel’s targeted killings policy, and the operationalisation of OSINT. Through this lens, the thesis demonstrates how OSINT techniques, such as geolocation, the analysis of satellite imagery, and digital reconstruction, offer independent means of documenting incidents, thereby challenging official state narratives and enhancing transparency and accountability. The research question underpinning this thesis explores OSINT’s potential as a groundbreaking methodology to substantiate claims of unlawful killings and support accountability at the international judicial level by providing verifiable, data-backed evidence of incidents. By analysing recent applications of OSINT techniques in case studies on killings of Palestinians committed by Israeli officials, this research underscores how the methodology enables independent validation of events that would otherwise rely on official state narratives or classified state-generated intelligence. The thesis further examines OSINT as an innovative approach to democratise the investigative process in conflict settings and uncover facts that may otherwise remain obscured, employing innovative methodologies such as crowdsourcing and social media verification. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, long characterised by asymmetrical warfare and complex power dynamics, presents unique opportunities and challenges for OSINT as an investigative tool. Israel’s policy of targeted killings has historically sparked international criticism, with frequent allegations that it blurs the lines between lawful military actions and unlawful killings. Indeed, targeted killing operations are sometimes associated with other state-sanctioned uses of lethal force, such as extrajudicial executions and assassinations. While these terms are often used interchangeably in public discourse, they differ significantly in definition and application. Moreover, this strategy often results in civilian casualties, raising questions about balancing national security with humanitarian obligations. The interplay of OSINT with Israel’s targeted killing policy brings to light the operational complexities and ethical debates surrounding the state-sanctioned use of lethal force. The case studies analysed highlight the efficacy and limits of OSINT in reconstructing events and examining compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL). Although OSINT investigations have helped verify extrajudicial executions, they have yet to be widely employed in scrutinising operations against high-ranking militant operatives. This gap limits the full range of accountability which can be achieved with OSINT, as these higher-profile cases often reveal broader policy implications and diplomatic complexities that influence the conflict at large. This thesis posits that OSINT represents a transformative methodology for investigating state actions in conflict zones, offering a more balanced approach to assessing incidents of targeted killings. While its application is currently limited to extrajudicial executions, with few notable exceptions, OSINT’s expansion to more politically sensitive and high-profile cases could enhance the international community’s capacity for oversight and intervention.