: Medical staff and the wounded must be cared for regardless of their side. Organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) work tirelessly to uphold these standards.
: Anticipated incidental loss of civilian life or damage to civilian objects must not be excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated.
: It is illegal to target homes, schools, or hospitals. Civilians must be shielded from the effects of military operations.
: Those deprived of their liberty must be treated humanely and protected from violence or intimidation.
According to the American Red Cross , IHL is built upon four fundamental principles that guide decisions in the chaos of war:
IHL mandates specific protections for those not involved in active fighting:
: Parties must always distinguish between combatants and civilians, and between military objectives and civilian objects.