Israel/Lebanon: Israel and Hizbullah must spare civilians: Obligations under International Humanitarian Law of the Parties to the Conflict in Israel and Lebanon

Index Number: MDE 15/070/2006
Date Published: 25 July 2006
Categories: Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories, Middle East And North Africa

The armed conflict between Israel and Hizbullah continues to be characterized by killing of civilians, mass forced displacement and attacks on civilian infrastructure. This paper is a summary of the relevant rules of international humanitarian law and international criminal law with which the warring parties are legally bound to comply. This paper does not examine the legality or legitimacy of the resort to force itself by either party under international law. The paper contains a number of important recommendations designed to end the killing of civilians by both sides and to bring to justice those responsible.