WAR IN CITIES: EMERGING CHALLENGES FOR INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW

Abstract

This article reviews the conduct of hostilities in urban areas and the challenges it
poses to international humanitarian law. Humanitarian law insulates civilians and
civilian objects from the dangers of warfare, except for collateral damage. Armed
conflict is regulated by fundamental principles such as distinction, proportionality
and precaution, which are difficult to respect when warfare is urbanized. The
consequence is the breach of protection for civilians and civilian objects: the loss of
millions of civilian lives, destruction of homes, hospitals, schools, and other critical
civilian infrastructure. The article argues that the conduct of warfare in urban
settings weaken the protections available to civilians