According to the American Red Cross , IHL is built upon four fundamental principles that guide decisions in the chaos of war:
: Parties must always distinguish between combatants and civilians, and between military objectives and civilian objects. International humanitarian law
In the complex and often devastating world of modern conflict, serves as a vital safeguard for human dignity. Known colloquially as the "laws of war," IHL does not aim to stop war itself but rather to limit its humanitarian impact by regulating how hostilities are conducted. Core Principles: The Four Pillars According to the American Red Cross , IHL