Who Is Policing War Crimes In The Israel-Gaza Conflict?

As the Israel – Gaza conflict deepens and casualties rise, both sides are accusing the other of failing to distinguish between civilian and military targets and breaking international humanitarian law.

Amid the heartbreaking details of the escalation in the Israel-Gaza conflict both sides are accusing the other of failing to properly distinguish between civilian and military targets and breaking international humanitarian law and enacting war crimes.

Hamas has violated international law by genocidally murdering 1300 civilians and wounded 3600, taken 200 hostages and are indiscriminately firing rockets without sparing civilians.

Israel’s relentless bombardment of Gaza, excessive harm to civilians and decision to block electricity, food, water and fuel is also in violation of international law.

In this episode of The Briefing, Ben Saul, a Professor in International Law at Sydney University joins us to explain the responsibilities and obligations of groups and nations during warfare, what a war crime is and how international law gets enforced.

In warfare, you can only target military objectives. You’ve got to spare, excessive civilian casualties when conducting warfare. It also imposes a whole lot of limits on the kinds
of tactics you can use and the weapons that you can use as well.
There are rules against things like hostage taking on the protection and humane treatment of prisoners.

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