Use of lethal force under occupation

This brief analyses the legal standards that regulate the use of lethal force and live fire by an occupying power, outside situations of active hostilities.

The brief details four case studies of Palestinian deaths that occurred during Israeli law enforcement operations and that highlight concerns with Israel’s lack of compliance with the applicable legal standards. The circumstances of these four incidents, and many others like them, are suggestive of willful killings, which are a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention and a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

This brief will also includes a short Q&A that addresses some of the key questions connected with law enforcement in situations of military occupation.

Photo: Tanya Habjouqa/LWD