Abstract
This note examines the legal justifications for these acts under international humanitarian law, in order to determine whether the law is sufficient to break the chain of suicide bombings and retaliatory assassinations in Israel and Palestine. The legal status of the suicide bombing of Egged Bus 32A and the retaliatory assassination of Shehadeh are examined as typical instances of violence that have marked the al-Aqsa Intifada. The attacks are analyzed to determine how the law should be applied to prevent this violence. Part I provides background information on the suicide bombing and retaliatory assassination. Part II discusses international humanitarian law relating to war crimes and crimes against humanity, while Part III analyzes the legality of suicide bombings and extrajudicial killings under international humanitarian law. Part IV discusses whether these acts are properly characterized as war crimes, while emphasizing the role of accountability in potentially breaking the chain of violence. The note concludes in Part V with an observation on the importance of respecting international humanitarian law in conflicts against terrorism.
ISSN
0093-0709
Recommended Citation
Casey, Demian
(2005)
"Breaking the Chain of Violence in Israel and Palestine: Suicide Bombings and Targeted Killings Under International Humanitarian Law,"
Syracuse Journal of International Law and Commerce: Vol. 32:
No.
2, Article 6.
Available at:
https://surface.syr.edu/jilc/vol32/iss2/6