International Humanitarian Law Application Parameters Prioritize Humanity in Exceptional Situations

Humanitarian law is a set of regulations encompassing both customary and codified principles. It serves individuals impacted by armed conflict and mitigates associated hardships and destruction. Furthermore, it governs interactions among nations, global entities, and other entities subject to international legal norms.
A component of public international law, international humanitarian law comprises regulations that aim to safeguard individuals who are not actively engaged in hostilities during armed conflict or for humanitarian purposes.

Protecting Individuals from the Scourge of War
The primary objective of international humanitarian law is to protect individuals from the scourge of warfare, particularly those considered hors de combat, such as the injured and ailing, and noncombatant individuals, such as civilians, medical personnel, relief workers, and humanitarian organizations. This branch of law endeavors to alleviate the suffering and harm caused by conflicts by safeguarding non-military assets and regulating and curtailing the techniques and approaches employed in combat.
Fundamental tenets of international humanitarian law stipulate that, during armed conflicts, belligerents must consistently differentiate between civilians and combatants to safeguard civilians and their property. Deliberate attacks against civilians, whether in their entirety or as individuals, are prohibited, and military actions are permissible solely against legitimate military targets.
The use of indiscriminate weapons or tactics that are likely to cause harm or unnecessary suffering is expressly prohibited, as is harming or killing a disarmed or surrendered adversary. Consequently, non-combatants who have ceased engagement in hostilities are entitled to preserve their lives and bodily and mental well-being, and they must receive protection, compassion, and impartiality in all circumstances.

Caring for the Wounded and Injured Individuals
When feasible, efforts must be made to seek out and assist wounded and sick individuals promptly. Adequate medical personnel, facilities, transportation, and supplies should be accessible. The emblem of the red cross, red crescent, or red crystal displayed on a white background serves as the recognized symbol denoting the protection of these individuals and objects.
International humanitarian law, synonymous with the law of war, aims to reduce suffering in wartime, primarily by safeguarding and aiding all individuals affected by armed conflict to the highest degree achievable.

Warring Parties
International humanitarian law is binding on parties engaged in armed conflict, regardless of the rationale or righteousness of their actions. If this were not the case, enforcing the law would be unfeasible, as each party could argue that they were the victims of aggression. The fundamental aim of international humanitarian law is to safeguard all victims of armed conflicts, irrespective of their allegiance to the conflict.
Consequently, international humanitarian law is only applicable during armed conflicts and has two distinct protection frameworks: one for disputes between nations and one for conflicts within the boundaries of a single country.
International armed conflicts arise when one or more sovereign states use armed force against another state. Additionally, any armed conflict involving a state and a global organization is categorized as international.
A non-international armed conflict is characterized by hostilities between a state’s armed forces and organized non-state armed groups or among such groups. To qualify as a non-international armed conflict, the hostilities must reach a specific level of intensity, and the involved groups must demonstrate a certain level of organization.