Matryrs Brigade's New Targeting Program: Google Earth

Google Earth is an amazing tool, but it seems every silver lining must have its dark cloud. A satellite mapping program of the earth's surface, Google Earth puts topographic information, including oftentimes very detailed 3D images, at the world's finger tips. The world, however, includes the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade which has used Google Earth to help plan rocket attacks against Israel. One of the group's leaders said they are able to "obtain the details from Google Earth and check them against our maps of the city centre and sensitive areas." Though not a "real-time" asset, Google Earth has definitely aided the Brigade in their not infrequent rocket attacks, typically Qassams fired from Gaza.

Google has acknowledged the danger posed by its online tool, but points out information available through Google Earth is "not unique." Thus far Google has not said whether or not the Israeli government has asked it to block images of select areas.