Electronic warfare related to the Gaza conflict is disrupting global positioning systems across much of the region. As NPR's Jane Arraf reports, the jamming is not only making landings more complicated and potentially risky, it's also affecting shipping and even dating apps.
Flight activity near Beirut International Airport has been affected by the Gaza conflict. The military has reportedly been tampering with GPS systems, causing GPS locations to place ships, planes, and people hundreds of miles away, also at this airport. Professor Todd Humphreys, one of the world's experts on GPS jamming, noted that spoofing, which sends false locations to GPS systems, is known as new jamming. Although Russia, China, and Iran have occasionally used this tactic, the main culprit behind this Middle East jamming in this case is the Israel Defense Forces.
Professor Humphreys and his team determined the source of the GPS jamming by counting the signals intercepted in orbit. According to their estimates, the data points to a specific air base operated by the IDF in Israel. Israel has warned that it is blocking GPS signals due to drone and missile attacks in Gaza. This interference poses additional risks to pilots because they can no longer rely on satellite positioning or terrain warning systems.
Pilot Mohammed Aziz said the interference gave pilots false signals, making the flight process more dangerous. Aziz, a retired airline captain, suggested that airlines use visual navigation to avoid the risk of GPS interference. In addition, GPS interference has also affected shipping. The automatic identification system (AIS) used by ships has also been interfered with, increasing the risk of collision. International conventions have traditionally prohibited interference with GPS systems, but no substantial sanctions have been imposed on GPS interference in the Gaza conflict so far.
In addition to flying and shipping, GPS interference has also affected the use of mobile phone applications. Uber drivers and dating application users have reported that war GPS signal jammers and other GPS blocking device interference have caused them to match with people who do not match their expectations, or even communicate with people related to international conflicts.
In summary, the electronic warfare caused by the Gaza conflict is seriously interfering with the region's GPS system, causing inconvenience and risks to civil aviation, shipping and personal life. The international community needs to pay close attention to this issue and take measures to ensure the normal operation of the GPS system and maintain aviation safety and the stability of citizens' lives.