Following two rounds of conflict marked by Iranian ballistic missile attacks, Israeli researchers have created an artificial intelligence (AI) tool designed to provide emergency responders with rapid access to detailed building information at strike sites. This development aims to reduce the time required for rescue teams to navigate structurally compromised buildings and locate survivors trapped under rubble.

The project emerged from gaps revealed during Operation Rising Lion in June 2025 and Operation Roaring Lion in March 2026, when thousands of missiles targeted Israeli cities. According to the Israel Tax Authority, nearly 40,000 claims related to missile damage to homes were filed after the initial operation. Rescue teams faced significant challenges in obtaining timely structural data, as existing protocols required printing building permits from municipal archives and delivering them to responders by courier— a process that took approximately 30 minutes per site.

An interdisciplinary team from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology’s Housing Lab, led by Prof. Yael Allweil, along with Dr. Yiftach Akshenzai and architect Tal Sadeh, collaborated with Prof. Moshe Lavee and Liat Bonen from the University of Haifa’s Elijah Lab to address this issue. Drawing on years of work analyzing extensive architectural records, including building permits and master plans, the researchers accelerated development of an AI-powered system that can quickly interpret complex construction datasets.

The new web-based platform consolidates publicly available data to generate instant detailed building maps, enabling rescuers to identify critical features such as the presence of protected shelters or structural layouts. The system can be accessed remotely via a link and supports multiple languages, making it adaptable for disaster response situations globally. This innovation facilitates near real-time assessment of damage sites, allowing first responders to make informed decisions shortly after an attack.

Prof. Allweil emphasized the significance of accurate spatial data in saving lives, noting that prior reliance on fragmented and inconsistent information stored separately by the IDF Home Front Command and various municipalities complicated rescue efforts. The AI tool aims to unify and streamline access to essential structural details, reducing response times dramatically.

Currently, the platform is undergoing testing in Nahariya, a northern Israeli city frequently targeted during the conflicts, with local municipal engineers assisting in validating the system’s accuracy. While a ceasefire with Iran remains in place, the research team is focused on refining the technology and hopes to extend its deployment to additional urban centers across Israel.

By enhancing first responders’ ability to swiftly understand damaged buildings’ layouts, this AI solution represents a critical advancement in Israel’s civil defense infrastructure amid ongoing regional tensions.