Identify legitimate targets
Identify targets as legitimate targets before engagement. This is crucial to prevent harm to civilians and ensure adherence to the principles of distinction and proportionality in combat.
- Combatants: Individuals who are actively engaged in hostilities or are members of armed forces.
- Enemy soldiers in uniform not surrendering.
- Armed militants.
- Persons directly participating in hostilities.
- A person posing an immediate threat (e.g., aiming a weapon) can be considered a combatant.
- Non-Combatants: Individuals who are not actively participating in hostilities. These are not legitimate targets.
- Civilians not taking direct part in hostilities.
- Medical and religious personnel.
- Wounded/surrendering soldiers and prisoners of war.
