War Crimes in Israel and Gaza – Understanding the Law

What are War Crimes Within the Context of the Israel Gaza Conflict – Insights from a Legal Expert on the Laws of War In the bloody conflict between Israel and Gaza, the line between legitimate military action and war crimes is often confused. Guided by Professor Michael Newton, an expert in the laws of war, this interview explores the legalities of warfare in Israel and Gaza. When is a bombing a war crime? How does the principle of proportionality constrain civilian casualties? How does Hamas's status as "civilians engaged in armed conflict" impact their protections and rights? What are the rules on fighting in hospitals, schools, or mosques? How do states and their militaries distinguish between legal use of force and serious crime in the context of the Israel-Gaza war. ABOUT THE EXPERT: Professor Michael Newton is an expert on terrorism, transnational justice, and conduct of hostilities under the laws of war. Professor Newton is the editor of The United States Department of Defense Law of War Manual: Commentary and Critique (Cambridge University Press) and served as the senior adviser to the Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues in the U.S. State Department. He negotiated the “Elements of Crimes” for the International Criminal Court and has been involved in coordinating U.S. support to accountability mechanisms worldwide. ► http://www.talksonlaw.com for more legal explainers and interviews with the titans of law. ____________________