When war breaks out, it can be easy to assume that the rules no longer apply. In reality, armed conflict is precisely when international law becomes most important. Even during war, legal frameworks continue to protect civilians, guide military conduct, and establish standards for accountability.

This month, European Union foreign ministers debated whether and how member states should respond to the International Court of Justice's 2024 advisory opinion concerning Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Reuters). The discussions highlighted a broader challenge facing the international community: translating international legal rulings into practical government action.

International humanitarian law was developed to limit the human cost of war. It sets out rules that prohibit attacks on civilians, protect hospitals and humanitarian workers, regulate the treatment of prisoners of war, and seek to reduce unnecessary suffering. Although these rules are not always respected, they provide a common legal standard that the international community can use to assess conduct and pursue accountability when violations are alleged.

Applying these laws is rarely straightforward. Modern conflicts often involve multiple actors, evolving military technologies, and complex political realities. Legal proceedings can take years to complete, and disagreements over interpretation are common. Yet the existence of these challenges does not diminish the importance of the law itself. On the contrary, they demonstrate why impartial courts, independent investigations, and international legal institutions remain essential.

International law cannot prevent every conflict, but it helps establish the standards that protect human dignity even in the darkest moments. When the rules are upheld consistently, they help build a more stable international system where accountability, rather than violence alone, shapes the path toward lasting peace.

References

• International Committee of the Red Cross, What Is International Humanitarian Law?
  https://www.icrc.org/en/law-and-policy/international-humanitarian-law
• International Court of Justice
  https://www.icj-cij.org
• United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, International Humanitarian Law
  https://www.unocha.org/humanitarian-access-and-international-humanitarian-law