Abiding by and Enforcing International Humanitarian Law in Asymmetric Warfare: the Case of “Operation Cast Lead”
Abiding by and Enforcing International Humanitarian Law in Asymmetric Warfare: the Case of “Operation Cast Lead”

Summary/Abstract: “Operation Cast Lead” undertaken by the Israeli armed forces against Hamas forces in the Gaza strip in 2008/2009 raises a significant number of international legal issues. These issues relate to the nature of the military conflict, the legal status of the Gaza strip under international humanitarian law, but also, more generally, to the applicability and suitability of international humanitarian law in such kinds of asymmetric warfare taking place in densely populated areas. Besides, the article also questions at least some of the findings made by the “Goldstone Report” tasked by the United Nations Human Rights Council to investigate alleged violations of international humanitarian law during the armed conflict.

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