International humanitarian law (IHL) is the law that regulates the conduct of
armed conflict (
jus in bello). It is that branch of
international law which seeks to limit the effects of armed conflict by protecting persons who are not participating in hostilities, and by restricting and regulating the means and methods of warfare available to
combatants. IHL is inspired by considerations of humanity and the mitigation of human suffering. "It comprises a set of rules, established by treaty or custom, that seeks to protect persons and property/objects that are (or may be) affected by armed conflict and limits the rights of parties to a conflict to use methods and means of warfare of their choice". It includes "the
Geneva Conventions and the
Hague Conventions, as well as subsequent treaties, case law, and
customary international law." It defines the conduct and responsibilities of
belligerent nations,
neutral nations, and individuals engaged in warfare, in relation to each other and to
protected persons, usually meaning
non-combatants. It is designed to balance humanitarian concerns and
military necessity, and subjects warfare to the rule of law by limiting its destructive effect and mitigating human suffering.