International Law on War at "Breaking Point" Amid Soaring Civilian Casualties, Landmark Study Warns

Global - Ekhbary News Agency

International Law on War at "Breaking Point" Amid Soaring Civilian Casualties, Landmark Study Warns

A new, comprehensive study has issued a stark warning: international humanitarian law (IHL), designed to mitigate the brutal impacts of armed conflict, is teetering on the brink of collapse. The "War Watch" report, compiled by the prestigious Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, reveals a devastating landscape where war crimes are rampant, impunity is widespread, and civilian lives are being lost on an unprecedented scale across 23 global conflicts. The findings suggest that the foundational principles meant to protect non-combatants are failing, leading to a critical reevaluation of the international community's commitment to these vital legal frameworks.

The authoritative survey, which meticulously examined conflicts from July 2024 to the end of 2025, paints a grim picture. It concludes that well over 100,000 civilians have been killed in each of these two years alone, a staggering figure that underscores the profound failure to uphold the laws of armed conflict. Beyond the sheer numbers, the report details a disturbing pattern of deliberate targeting, torture, and sexual violence, often perpetrated with near-total impunity, raising urgent questions about accountability and justice in war-torn regions.

Stuart Casey-Maslen, the lead author of the "War Watch" study, did not mince words when discussing the implications of these findings. "Atrocity crimes are being repeated because past ones were tolerated," he stated, emphasizing a dangerous cycle of violence emboldened by a lack of consistent international enforcement. "Our actions – or inaction – will determine whether international humanitarian law vanishes altogether," he warned, highlighting the precarious future of a legal system painstakingly built after the horrors of the Second World War, notably through the 1949 Geneva Conventions, with the core aim of shielding civilians from the ravages of war.

The report provides chilling details from various hotspots. In Gaza, the two-year conflict, which commenced with the Hamas assault on October 7, 2023, saw Israel's relentless airstrikes and ground incursions lead to catastrophic civilian losses. By the end of 2025, an estimated 18,592 children and approximately 12,400 women had been killed. The study notes a staggering 10.6% decline in Gaza's total population, equating to about 254,000 people, compared with pre-conflict estimates, despite a ceasefire agreed upon in October 2025. The continued violence post-ceasefire further underscores the fragility of peace efforts and the enduring toll on civilians.

Ukraine also registered a significant escalation in civilian fatalities, with 2,514 recorded deaths in 2025 alone – a 70% increase over 2023 figures. The "War Watch" study attributes this rise, in part, to deliberate Russian drone attacks targeting civilian infrastructure, leading to widespread loss of electricity and other essential utilities for millions of homes. This deliberate targeting of non-military sites represents a clear violation of IHL, designed to distinguish between combatants and civilians.

The crisis of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is another deeply troubling aspect documented across almost all surveyed conflicts. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, in particular, is grappling with an "epidemic" of such violence, perpetrated by nearly all warring parties. Victims, predominantly women and girls, span all age groups, from infants to the elderly, highlighting the systemic nature and devastating reach of these atrocities. Similarly, in Sudan, the fall of El Fasher to rebels in October 2025 was followed by documented brutal sexual violence, with survivors recounting gang-rapes lasting hours or days, sometimes in front of family members, perpetrated by RSF fighters. These acts are not merely collateral damage but deliberate tools of war, designed to terrorize and subjugate populations.

The authors of the "War Watch" report contend that despite the Geneva Conventions obligating every nation "to respect and to ensure respect" for international humanitarian law "in all circumstances," a dangerous chasm has emerged between these treaty obligations and the grim reality on the ground. This widening gap directly facilitates the proliferation of war crimes, as perpetrators face minimal consequences for their actions. The study implicitly challenges the international community's political will and enforcement mechanisms, suggesting that the current approach is insufficient to deter violations.

In response to this alarming trend, the "War Watch" study asserts that "addressing widespread impunity for serious violations of international law should be treated as a policy priority." To counter the escalating number of war crimes, its authors propose a series of concrete safeguards. While the full list of recommendations extends beyond the initial summary, a key suggestion involves the introduction and rigorous enforcement of a ban on arms sales to parties demonstrably committing grave violations of international humanitarian law. Such a measure, they argue, could serve as a powerful deterrent, forcing belligerents to reconsider their tactics or face severe diplomatic and material repercussions. The report serves as a critical call to action, urging global leaders to strengthen IHL, enhance accountability, and protect the fundamental rights of civilians caught in the crossfire of modern warfare.

Ekhbary News Agency