Andreea Manea on the legal complexities around Israeli attacks that hit hospitals

OF THE ATTACKS launched by Israeli forces in Gaza since October 7th, none have caused more international consternation than those that have hit hospitals and ambulances—even as Israel insists it takes care to target Hamas, not civilians. Attacks on medical facilities and a lack of supplies have brought Gaza’s health-care system to “a point of no return”, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned. The World Health Organisation says that al-Shifa hospital, the territory’s main hospital, the area around which has seen intense fighting, “is not functioning as a hospital any more”.

Outright attacks on medical facilities are morally reprehensible but, from the perspective of the law of armed conflict (LOAC), they are, sadly, not always unlawful. That depends on targeting.