Tehran: An investigation has found that Israel’s military intelligence unit, Unit 8200, has been using Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform to store and analyze vast amounts of data on Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and Gaza.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, sources within Unit 8200 stated that data, primarily intercepted phone calls and communications, has been used to plan military operations, identify targets for airstrikes, and in some cases, justify arrests or killings. This information emerged from a joint investigation by The Guardian, +972 Magazine, and Hebrew-language outlet Local Call.

The spying operation intensified during the Israeli regime’s ongoing offensive in Gaza, with the system allegedly capable of recording ‘a million calls an hour.’ Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is reported to have approved a segregated and customized Azure environment for the Israeli military following discussions with Unit 8200 officials. However, Microsoft has denied any knowledge of the nature of the da
ta stored, claiming ignorance of any civilian surveillance.

The revelations have sparked renewed concerns about the weaponization of Western technology in conflict zones. Critics argue that cloud platforms like Azure are being repurposed for mass surveillance and military targeting. Internal dissent is growing within Microsoft, as a group of employees called for the company to end its contracts tied to the Israeli military.