Marc Weller on what international law has to say about the Israel-Hamas conflict
Military advantage must be balanced against the risk of civilian casualties, even when vital interests are at stake, says the law professor
LAW ACCEPTS the reality that war is a feature of human relations. Hence, law in war is meant to strike a balance between the need to use force in extreme circumstances and the wish to reduce the prospect of war and keep the associated human suffering to a minimum. This balancing act takes two forms. The UN Charter limits the right of states to make war. Humanitarian law limits the means of warfare.
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From the November 4th 2023 edition
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