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Combatants do not always clearly distinguish themselves from civilians, preferring for example to operate as " farmers by day and fighters by night. Civilians have become more involved in activities closely relating to actual combat. Military operations have moved away from distinct battlefields and are in creasingly conducted inside population centres, such as Gaza City, Grozny or Mogadishu. Over recent decades, the nature of warfare has changed significantly, and several factors have contributed to blur the distinction between civilians and combatants. Traditionally, very few civilians have been involved in actual combat. These activities have typically been conducted far from the battlefield. Throughout history, civilians have contributed to the general war effort, for example by producing and supplying weapons, equipment, food, and shelter, or by offering political and financial support. What are the current challenges arising in relation to civilian participation in hostilities? Those involved in the fighting must make a basic distinction between combatants, who may be lawfully attacked, and civilians, who are protected against attack unless and for such time as they directly participate in hostilities. The primary aim of international humanitarian law (IHL) is to protect the victims of armed conflict and to regulate the conduct of hostilities. What does the notion of "direct participation in hostilities" mean?
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What is the status of the ICRC's Interpretive Guidance document? What are the main questions addressed in the ICRC's Interpretive Guidance?"ĥ. What has the ICRC done to address these challenges?Ĥ. What are the current challenges arising in relation to civilian participation in hostilities?ģ. What does the notion of "direct participation in hostilities" mean?Ģ.
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