: Parties must always distinguish between civilians and combatants, and between civilian objects and military objectives.
: The use of weapons or tactics that cause "superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering" is strictly forbidden. 3. Legal Sources of IHL The rules of IHL are derived from several primary sources: International Humanitarian Law - ICRC : Parties must always distinguish between civilians and
This paper provides a detailed overview of , also known as the "law of war" or the "law of armed conflict." IHL is a set of rules that, for humanitarian reasons, seeks to limit the effects of armed conflict. 1. Definition and Core Purpose Legal Sources of IHL The rules of IHL
: Only those measures necessary to achieve a legitimate military purpose are permitted. According to the American Red Cross , IHL
According to the American Red Cross , IHL is built on four central principles that guide decision-making during war:
: It safeguards civilians and those hors de combat (out of the fight), such as the wounded, sick, and prisoners of war.
IHL is a branch of public international law that regulates the conduct of hostilities and protects persons who are not, or are no longer, participating in combat.