CRIKEY RECAP : International law does not allow Israel to kill or harm children and bomb hospitals
( MICHAEL BRADLEY )
“Even if, for example, Al Shifa Hospital is, as alleged, sitting atop a major Hamas command centre and it can be fairly concluded that Article 19 applies to strip it of the protection of Article 18, that’s not the end of the matter. Article 18 prohibits attacks on hospitals entirely, meaning that when Article 19 applies, that absolute prohibition falls away.
“That is not the same as authorisation for such attacks. The convention nowhere conveys such an authorisation. The other articles still apply; the wounded and sick, infirm and expectant mothers, are still required to be protected. Even if Israel is not prevented from bombing Al Shifa Hospital by Article 18, because of Hamas’ actions, that doesn’t mean it becomes lawful for it to do so.”