Leaked Docs Reveal Microsoft Made Millions Serving IDF During Gaza Bombardment
Shocking details have emerged online about tech giant Microsoft and its covert association with the Israeli military during the Jewish state’s intense bombing campaign in Gaza. The leaked documents have disclosed how the private-sector companies’ involvement impacts the hi-tech warfare while raising concerns about the ethical aspect of the practice.
Microsoft deepened its relationship with Israel’s defense establishment after 7 October 2023, delivering military equipment with huge computing and storage services. Israel also struck billion-dollar deals—approximately $10 million for extended technical support.
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The shocking details were unearthed during an investigation by media house The Guardian. It claimed that the investigation drew interviews with sources from across Israel’s defense and intelligence establishment and found that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) extensively used major US tech companies to meet the technological demands of war.
The media house cited Israeli defense sources to substantiate that the IDF became increasingly dependent on the likes of Microsoft, Amazon, and Google to store and analyze greater volumes of data and intelligence information for longer periods after Israel launched an offensive in Gaza last year. The IDF had reportedly faced shortages for storage and computing power, forcing it to approach top US companies for cloud providers.
The leaked documents included commercial records from Israel’s defense ministry and files from Microsoft’s Israeli subsidiary, which were used by units across Israel’s air, ground, and naval and intelligent agencies. While it was known that the IDF has used Microsoft services for administrative purposes, the leaked documents reveal that Microsoft Azure’s cloud computing solutions were used to support even Israel’s combat and intelligence activities.
The investigation found that the Microsoft staff and contractors have also worked closely with military personnel across the IDF, providing advice and technical support both remotely and on military bases. Microsoft engineers provided support to IDF intelligence units such as Unit 8200 and another secretive spy unit, Unit 9900, during the Gaza offensive.
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Citing the leaked files, the report said that the Israel defense ministry agreed to buy 19,000 hours of engineering support and consultancy services from Microsoft to assist a wide range of IDF units between the start of the war in October 2023 and the end of June 2024. The US-based tech company is believed to have garnered $10 million in revenue for its services. The report added that though Israel went through many conversations and texts, how the IDF used Azure’s AI-based products was not specified accurately.
Notably, a recent report by The Washington Post revealed that Google’s cloud division provided the IDF with access to its AI-based services. However, when approached for comment, Microsoft declined to comment on the findings of the investigation or answer questions about its work for the IDF. The tech company said they will not comment on the subject, noted The Guardian.
