: It is illegal to target homes, schools, or hospitals. Civilians must be shielded from the effects of military operations.
According to the American Red Cross , IHL is built upon four fundamental principles that guide decisions in the chaos of war: International humanitarian law
: The use of weapons or methods of warfare that cause superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering is strictly prohibited. Essential Protections : It is illegal to target homes, schools, or hospitals
: Under IHL, journalists are protected as civilians, while war correspondents may be entitled to Prisoner of War status if captured. Modern Challenges and Evolving Law journalists are protected as civilians
: Only those measures necessary to achieve a legitimate military purpose are permitted.
IHL mandates specific protections for those not involved in active fighting: