Operation cast lead - What precautions did the IDF take to minimize harm to civilians?

                                                                                         

According to the Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, in addition to the obligation to refrain from acts that would harm civilians disproportionately in relation to anticipated military advantage, both parties to a conflict are required to take "feasible" precautions to minimize incidental loss of civilian life, and to provide "effective advance warning… unless circumstances do not permit." The measure is one of "feasibility," not perfection. Numerous countries have emphasized the limitations of practicality, and that assessments consider the circumstances prevailing at the time of the decision, not after the fog of war has lifted and hindsight reveals other options and consequences. Advance warnings to the civilian population may be feasible mostly before hostilities begin in a particular area, or where the lack of surprise or speed of response does not significantly affect military advantage.

During the Gaza operation, the IDF took the precautions required by law or suggested by the practice of other countries. The IDF not only implemented a range of precautions related to targeting and munitions, but also used an extensive system of graduated warnings to civilians, including both general advance warnings through media broadcasts and widespread leafleting, regional warnings to alert civilians to leave specific areas before IDF operations commenced, and specific warnings to civilians in or near military targets, through telephone calls and warning shots with light weapons. These warnings were frequently effective, as aerial surveillance was often able to confirm the resulting evacuation of numerous civilians prior to an attack by the IDF.

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