War brings with it chaos and tragedies. Although the goal of both sides in war is often revenge and victory, not all borders can be crossed to achieve these goals. As the war between Israel and Hamas escalates, it is important to control whether or not the laws of war are being followed.
International humanitarian law or legal rules is a set of international laws that determine what can and cannot be done in times of armed conflict.
The main purpose of international humanitarian law is to maintain a level of humanity even in armed conflicts. Its goal is to preserve lives and reduce the level of suffering in the midst of war.
In order to achieve this goal, international humanitarian law regulates the war in which these armed conflicts are waged and aims to limit suffering.
These rules of warfare are not limited to one country or group of countries, but are in fact universal in nature. The Geneva Conventions have already been ratified by all 196 countries. Not many international treaties have managed to get this level of support. However, the Geneva Conventions represent an exception with strong support.
No matter how strong or aggressive a country is, if it is part of an international war, it must comply with international humanitarian law. Non-state armed groups as well as government forces should adhere to these rules of warfare.
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Like any other rule in the world, if the rules of war are broken, whoever breaks them must bear the consequences. Who monitors these war crimes?
Well, war crimes are actually investigated and documented by states together with international courts. Moreover, individuals may also be prosecuted for war crimes.
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According to the rules of war, civilians may not be taken hostage or attacked. While targeting, fighters are tasked with distinguishing between soldiers and civilians. Moreover, it is also a mandate to take precautions and refrain from striking civilian structures such as schools and hospitals. Even in cases where the target is a military structure, combatants should take appropriate precautions to protect civilians from attack or injury. Moreover, the rules prohibit any attack on facilities that are mandated and absolutely necessary for the survival of the civilian population. Even in densely populated areas, these obligations must be observed.
In addition, it is important to note that a violation of the rules by one party does not allow the other party to retaliate in kind.
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Source: HIS Education