Israel has installed 23 cranes mounted with remotely-operated machine guns in Gaza to shoot civilians, including at least two children, according to reports from human rights groups and Gaza-based journalists.

“Days ago, the Israeli army installed huge military cranes, each about 30 meters tall, on the eastern areas it controls. These cranes… fire randomly and almost continuously at tents, streets, and exposed neighbourhoods.”

He added: “There is no place to hide, and not a single moment of safety.”

Three people had been killed by the cranes in the space of two days, Nahed claimed, including a five-year-old girl playing near her home.

“We have become an open testing ground for their new weapons.”