Public Committee against Torture in Israel and Another v. Government of Israel and Others (Targeted Killings Case)

Abstract

429War and armed conflict — Armed conflict — Definition — Distinction between international and internal armed conflicts — Territories occupied by Israel since 1967 — Attacks by and on suspected terrorists in occupied territory — Whether an international armed conflict — Applicable law — Self-defence — Scope of application — Whether Article 51 of Charter of the United Nations, 1945 applicable to terrorist attacks not emanating from a StateWar and armed conflict — Combatants — Definition of lawful combatant — Civilians — When civilian loses immunity from attack — Direct participation in hostilitiesTerrorism — Customary international law — The right to self-defence — Unlawful combatants — “Targeting killings” policy — The law of Israel