Please pray for Khalid, his siblings and all the children of Gaza for protection from conflict.
God of justice and peace We bring before you the children of the land we call holy. Those whose laughter is silenced by fear, whose dreams are interrupted by night raids, hand-ties and weapons and whose childhood is taken in the shadow of conflict. You know each name, each face, each story. Hold them close when they are far from home, comfort them when they are alone or afraid, and shield their hearts from despair. God of hope, we pray that justice will roll down like waters in Gaza, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream, so that all who call the land of the Holy One home can live without fear. Amen. (https://embraceme.org/our-prayers/israel-palestine-urgent-prayer-for-peace )
Context: Principles of International Humanitarian Law
International Humanitarian Law (IHL), or the "law of armed conflict," is a set of rules seeking to limit the effects of armed conflict for humanitarian reasons. It protects people who are not or are no longer participating in hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare. Key foundations are the Geneva Conventions. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) acts as the "guardian" of IHL and works to ensure it is respected.
Core Principles
Protection: IHL protects civilians, medical personnel, aid workers, and combatants who are wounded, sick, or prisoners of war.
Limits on Warfare: It prohibits weapons and methods that cause unnecessary suffering or fail to distinguish between civilians and combatants.
Humanitarian Relief: Parties to a conflict must permit and facilitate rapid, unimpeded access to humanitarian aid for civilians.
Application: It applies strictly to armed conflicts and does not address whether a war is legal or not.
War Crimes: Grave breaches of IHL, such as willful killing, torture, or attacks against civilians, are considered war crimes, which the international community (via the International Criminal Court) or nations must punish.
International humanitarian law in Gaza is widely reported as being under systemic failure. Findings from the UN indicate that IHL obligations—such as the protection of civilians and unhindered access to aid—are being severely violated.
Additional reading: https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/10/27/how-does-international-humanitarian-law-apply-israel-and-gaza
