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ICRC Law & Policy Outreach @icrclawpolicy.bsky.social · 9d

📢 Call for Papers “Before War: Prepare to Comply with IHL”

The #IRRC welcomes anyone interested in submitting a proposal by 1 December 2025, exploring preparedness during peacetime for compliance with #IHL

Submit your abstract: bit.ly/4811ow1
@icrc.org #Research

Call for Papers: “Before War: Prepare to Comply with International Humanitarian Law”

Call for Papers: “Before War: Prepare to Comply with International Humanitarian Law” Deadline for Submission of Abstract: 01 December 2025 Decision whether Abstract has been selected: 20 December 2025...

bit.ly

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Thomas DSM @thodsm.bsky.social · 7d

And learn about some overarching conflict trends by watching this short video clip:

Armed conflicts in the world today: The data

Beyond physically helping people caught up in war, at the International Committee of the Red Cross, our legal experts analyse and classify wars. Why do we do this? Because recognizing a conflict under international law forms the basis of our confidentially dialogue with warring parties and their le

www.youtube.com

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Thomas DSM @thodsm.bsky.social · 7d

You want to know more? Read our Opinion Paper on how is the term "armed conflict" defined in international humanitarian law?

How is "Armed Conflict" defined in IHL? | ICRC

The legal classification of armed conflict is key for understanding what rules of IHL apply to that specific context.

www.icrc.org

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Thomas DSM @thodsm.bsky.social · 7d

What is the legal definition of an "armed conflict"? This is more than theory; answer to this question impacts real lives and responsibilities for warring parties, states and non-state armed groups.
Watch this explainer by @corduladroege.bsky.social

How is an “armed conflict” legally defined and why do definitions matter?

Legally defining and classifying armed conflicts has real-world consequences. Warring parties must know and respect international humanitarian law and preserve humanity in the chaos of war. In this video, the ICRC's Chief Legal Officer, Cordula Droege, explains how a war or “armed conflict” is defin

www.youtube.com

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Cordula Droege @corduladroege.bsky.social · 16d

You can find information on the Global Initiative to galvanise political commitment for #IHL at www.upholdhumanityinwar.org/documentation, including
✅ Workstreams
✅ Next events and consultations
✅ Statements from states in previous consultations

Humanity in War

www.upholdhumanityinwar.org

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Cordula Droege @corduladroege.bsky.social · 17d

In the face of egregious and widespread violations of international humanitarian law in conflicts around the world, we need to act. Leaders of 🇿🇦🇧🇷🇨🇳🇫🇷🇯🇴🇰🇿 together with @ICRC urge States and the international community to uphold the #GenevaConevntions

www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/french-fo...

World leaders united in defence of international humanitarian law to uphold humanity in war (21 September 2025)

Alarmed by widespread violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) in conflicts around the world and the resulting unconscionable human (…)

www.diplomatie.gouv.fr

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Thomas DSM @thodsm.bsky.social · 20d

This blog written with the brilliant Jelena Nikolic and @trodenhauser.bsky.social tries to provide some answers.

The risks and legal limits of involving ‘self-defence groups’ in non-international armed conflict

Whether and at what point groups of civilians become parties to armed conflicts, what their legal obligations are, and who is responsible for their conduct.

blogs.icrc.org

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Thomas DSM @thodsm.bsky.social · 20d

Self-defense groups play an important role in today’s conflicts. This raises serious risks.

What are the legal obligations coming with the use of self-defense groups by parties to armed conflict, or when they act independently?

How to ensure respect for IHL and better protection of civilians?

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Matt Pollard @mpollard.bsky.social · 21d

"Dignity in death": New article on #IHL & protection of the dead in armed conflicts, by my @icrc.org colleagues @ximenalondono.bsky.social & @helenobregon.bsky.social, in the International Review of the Red Cross.

Dignity in death: International humanitarian law and the protection of the deceased in war | International Review of the Red Cross | Cambridge Core

Dignity in death: International humanitarian law and the protection of the deceased in war

www.cambridge.org

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International Committee of the Red Cross @icrc.org · Aug 26

📍Gaza | It is unacceptable for a health facility like Nasser Medical Complex to be damaged in a strike and for medical personnel, journalists, patients & first responders to be killed and injured.

Medical facilities, civilians, journalists & first responders must be protected.

Nasser Medical Complex (NMC) is one of the last major hospitals still operating in southern Gaza, and provides critical and specialized medical care to thousands of patients in an area where few medical facilities remain amid ongoing hostilities. For a health facility like NMC to be damaged in a strike on Monday morning, and for medical personnel, journalists, patients and first responders to be killed and injured as a result of this, is unacceptable. Such strikes cause death and destruction, and jeopardize vital lifelines for patients who have few sanctuaries left. NMC is a referral hospital for the Red Cross Field Hospital and other medical units. It is crucial to guarantee its continued operation and accessibility for both medical personnel and patients. We reiterate that under international humanitarian law, medical facilities, civilians, and first responders must be respected and protected. All feasible steps must be taken to support their work and ensure their safety. We urgently call for the respect and protection of those who play essential roles in safeguarding life and dignity amidst armed conflict.

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Thomas DSM @thodsm.bsky.social · Aug 18

“If states invest in defence, they must also budget for international humanitarian law. (…) IHL is only as strong as leaders’ will to uphold it"

@icrc.org President www.icrc.org/en/news...

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International Committee of the Red Cross @icrc.org · Aug 8

We welcome the recent ceasefire announced by Thailand and Cambodia, and we reiterate our readiness to conduct further detainee visits.

This week, our team was able to visit 18 Cambodian POWs detained in Thailand.

We stand ready to continue supporting.

Read more: ms.spr.ly/63329sOyyl

We welcome the recent ceasefire announced by Thailand and Cambodia, and we reiterate our readiness to conduct further detainee visits. The announcement follows recent hostilities along the countries’ joint border that resulted in deaths, injuries, displacement of persons, and damage to key infrastructure. The ceasefire offers some respite to those affected by the hostilities, which saw families flee their homes, lose loved ones, and access to necessities. We are ready to support both nations to carry out similar future detainee visits and act as a neutral intermediary in any planned releases. Also, we stand ready to scale up our support as needed and urge continued respect for IHL, which includes access to persons detained in relation to the conflict.

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International Committee of the Red Cross @icrc.org · Aug 8

📍 Gaza | Since May 27, the Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah has treated over 4,500 weapon-wounded patients, most of whom said they were reaching food distribution sites when injured.

It is unacceptable that people are being injured and killed while trying to feed their families.

Since May 27, the Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah has treated more than 4,500 weapon-wounded patients, most of whom reported they were attempting to reach food distribution sites when they were injured. Since the opening of these food distribution sites, there have been more than 30 mass casualty incidents received at the field hospital. It is unacceptable that people are being injured and killed while simply trying to feed their families. Civilians in Gaza must have access to food, water, medical and hygiene supplies, and other essentials to live in dignity. At the same time, a rapid and unimpeded flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza must be allowed and facilitated. Impartial humanitarian organizations with decades of experience must be enabled to operate in line with their mandates, principles, and working modalities. We cannot allow an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis to deteriorate further. Countless lives hang in the balance.

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Cordula Droege @corduladroege.bsky.social · Aug 5

So many ‚never again‘ are in peril today.

The only credible way to avoid nuclear war is the total elimination of nuclear weapons.

80 years after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki: A call to eliminate nuclear weapons www.icrc.org/en/statement...

80 years after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki: A call to eliminate nuclear weapons

www.icrc.org

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Laurent Gisel @laurentgisel.bsky.social · Aug 5

Pleased to share the joint statement by the Presidents of #JapaneseRC & @icrc.org on the risks #nuclear #weapons still pose 80 years after the horrifying tragedy caused by the bombings of #Hiroshima & #Nagasaki.
Are enough efforts being made to rid the world of these weapons?
#IHL shorturl.at/1ggKH

80 years after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki: A call to eliminate nuclear weapons

shorturl.at

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Cordula Droege @corduladroege.bsky.social · Jul 25

#Gaza:
All States have an obligation to respect and ensure respect for international humanitarian law #IHL, including by ensuring that the arms they transfer do not contribute to violations of IHL.

www.icrc.org/en/statement...

Israel and the occupied territories: ICRC president calls for urgent collective action by states to end abhorrent suffering in Gaza

www.icrc.org

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Thomas DSM @thodsm.bsky.social · Jul 25

Gaza - The scale of human suffering and the stripping of human dignity have long exceeded every acceptable standard – both legal and moral.
States must do more to ensure that the parties to the conflict fulfil their obligations under IHL.
Statement by @icrc.org President.

International Committee of the Red Cross @icrc.org · Jul 25

Gaza | The scale of human suffering and the stripping of human dignity have long exceeded every acceptable standard, both legal and moral.

This tragedy must end now.

Mirjana Spoljaric, ICRC President: ms.spr.ly/63327sGyPt

"There is no excuse for what’s happening in Gaza.

This tragedy must end now, immediately and decisively.

Every political hesitation, every attempt at justification of the horrors being committed under international watch, will forever be judged as a collective failure to preserve humanity in war.”

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Matt Pollard @mpollard.bsky.social · Jul 21

An updated version of the @icrc.org legal briefing note "Starvation, Hunger and Famine in Armed Conflict: An overview of relevant provisions of international humanitarian law" is now available online.

Starvation, Hunger and Famine in Armed Conflict: An overview of relevant provisions of international humanitarian law

This briefing note outlines the rules of international humanitarian law (IHL) most relevant to food security, starvation, and the prevention of hunger and famine in situations of armed conflict. Thes...

shop.icrc.org

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International Committee of the Red Cross @icrc.org · Jun 24

📍 Gaza | We are devastated by the killing of our colleague Mahmoud Barakeh, who worked at the Red Cross Field Hospital. He was killed on his way home on Sunday, 22 June.

Our hearts are with his family and loved ones.

Five ICRC colleagues have been killed in Gaza since October 2023.

We are very sad to announce the death of another ICRC colleague in Gaza. Mahmoud Barakeh, who worked supporting logistics at the Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah, was killed on Sunday, 22nd June. Mahmoud leaves behind his wife, three sons, and two daughters. His killing is a profound personal loss and a painful moment for our teams. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of working alongside him. This heartbreaking loss is yet another stark reminder of the immense challenges our colleagues and the people of Gaza, face each day.

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International Committee of the Red Cross @icrc.org · Jun 25

📍Gaza | Yesterday, once again, most patients we supported in the Red Cross Field Hospital suffered gunshot injuries, with responsive patients reporting they were wounded on their way to an aid distribution site.

Out of 149 patients, tragically, 16 were declared dead on arrival.

On Tuesday, the 60-bed Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah received a mass casualty influx of 149 cases. Tragically, 16 were declared dead on arrival, and three more died of their wounds shortly thereafter. The vast majority of patients suffered gunshot injuries, with all responsive individuals reporting they were wounded while on their way to an aid distribution site. Since 27 May, the field hospital has had to activate its mass casualty procedures 20 times. The scale and frequency of these incidents is an alarming testament to the intolerable dangers civilians face as they attempt to access assistance. Civilians must have access to food, water, medical supplies, hygiene items, and other essentials. The rapid and unimpeded flow of humanitarian assistance must be allowed and facilitated. Those injured must receive the urgent medical care and attention they need as soon as possible.

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Laurent Gisel @laurentgisel.bsky.social · Jun 18

Did you miss our event yesterday on #ArtificialIntelligence in military decision making and compliance with #IHL? The recording is now available on @icrc.org website 👇
vimeo.com/1094320405?s...

AI in Military Decision Making: A Dialogue on How to Enhance IHL Compliance (full event recording)

Military armed forces are exploring increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities for military use. One of the most widespread military applications…

vimeo.com

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Patricia Rey ICRC @patriciarey.bsky.social · Jun 14

The ongoing hostilities in the Middle East will only bring more suffering and destruction.

The time to de-escalate is now, and political will is urgent and needed.

We are calling for respect of the rules of war and the protection of civilians. @icrc.org

www.icrc.org/en/news-rele...

Middle East: ICRC calls for de-escalation and protection of civilians amid rising tensions

www.icrc.org

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Cédric Cotter @cedcotter.bsky.social · Jun 10

New online resources on the diplomatic conference that led to the Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions in 1977 (in various languages!) #ArchivesAreAccessible #Archivesweek2025

blogs.icrc.org/cross-files/...

Diplomatic Conference 1974-1977: Conference Documents - Cross-Files | ICRC Archives, audiovisual and library

COTE Titre FR EN ES RU AR TOC 1. Documents des séances plénières CDDH/1 Projets de Protocoles additionnels aux Conventions de Genève du 12 août 1949 CDDH/2 Projet de règlement intérieur X CDDH/2/Rev.1...

blogs.icrc.org

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ICRC Law & Policy Outreach @icrclawpolicy.bsky.social · Jun 11

📅 Just one week to go!

AI in Military Decision Making: A Dialogue on How to Enhance IHL Compliance is happening 17 June.

Join legal, military & tech experts to explore IHL risks & safeguards.

🔗 www.icrc.org/en/event/eve...

#ICRC #IHL #MilitaryAI #AIinWarfare #TechAndConflict

EVENT: AI in Military Decision Making: A Dialogue on How to Enhance IHL Compliance

www.icrc.org

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Thomas DSM @thodsm.bsky.social · Jun 3

It notably reminds that even when misuse occurs, parties are required to issue a warning and give time for it to stop, striking as a last resort only if the hospital meets the definition of a military objective – and even then, the rules of proportionality and precautions apply to limit the harm.