"Israel's Evolving Approach to the Laws of War in the Israel-Hamas Conflict"

The Israeli government's interpretation of international humanitarian law, which prioritizes military necessity over the protection of civilians, undermines the values and rules of the Geneva Conventions. This approach, reminiscent of Francis Lieber's theory of justifiable conduct in war from the 19th century, allows for massive harm to civilians in pursuit of quick victory. Israeli officials often emphasize the justice of their cause and the need to win quickly, downplaying the importance of proportionality and minimizing harm. Their approach to proportionality focuses on the strategic objective of eradicating Hamas, rather than the concrete and direct military advantage of specific attacks. Similarly, their approach to minimizing harm often relies on warnings to civilians rather than adjusting means and methods of warfare. This interpretation of international humanitarian law threatens the protection of civilians and must be addressed.