(Ebook) Moral Dilemmas of Modern War: Torture, Assassination, and Blackmail in an Age of Asymmetric Conflict by Michael L. Gross ISBN 9780521685108, 0521685109

(Ebook) Moral Dilemmas of Modern War: Torture, Assassination, and Blackmail in an Age of Asymmetric Conflict by Michael L. Gross ISBN 9780521685108, 0521685109

Moral Dilemmas of Modern WarThe report documents the deaths of about 1200 Palestinians and extensive destruction of local infrastructures. Casualties comprise 4 roughly equal groups: militants, police, civilians who supported Hamas and innocent civilians uninvolved in the fighting. About militants, there is no debate. They were legitimate military targets. Of the other deaths, how many were justified and how many were not?

Is it permissible to kill 300 police officers?

This depends on what they did. The UN claims the officers were not fulfilling a military role. Israel denies this, asserts that the police were nothing but a paramilitary force but has yet to offer any details. To its detriment, the Israeli government has refused to cooperate with the UN mission. In the absence of any Israeli response, the UN charge must stand. If, however, the police officers were an adjunct military force then they are as vulnerable as any militant.

Is it permissible to kill 300 civilians who support the fighting?

Under the standing law of armed conflict the answer is usually no. Unless a civilian fires a missile or transports war materiel it is forbidden to harm him. Protected civilians also include members of the Hamas political wing who raise money, work in schools or provide welfare services. Civilians who provide funds or logistical support or distribute propaganda are also immune from attack.

In asymmetric war, however, there is reason to think about this differently. Guerrillas cannot hope to fight without the help of some civilians and the state army opposing them cannot hope to win without harming the same civilians. This is Israel’s position. Anyone supporting Hamas in a