Gaza and Lebanon: No Distinction Between Civilian and Military Targets

Article by Jonathan Kuttab argues that Israel’s military campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon have dangerously eroded the foundations of international law by systematically violating the principle of distinction between civilians and combatants. It contends that Israeli justifications, including the human shield narrative and collective punishment, have normalized war crimes and undermined accountability, with US complicity accelerating the collapse of long-standing global legal norms meant to protect civilians in times of war.