Beyond self-defense: A just war theory critique of Israel’s military conduct in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, attack
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33474/jisop.v7i2.23705Keywords:
just war theory, asymmetric conflict, Israel–GazaAbstract
This article evaluates Israel’s military operations in Gaza from 2023 to 2024 through the lens of Just War Theory (JWT), focusing on both the justification for war (jus ad bellum) and conduct in war (jus in bello). Although Israel invokes Article 51 of the UN Charter to justify its actions as self-defense, the analysis reveals ethical and legal concerns regarding Just War principles, particularly proportionality, discrimination, and military necessity. A qualitative case study approach is employed, drawing on primary and secondary sources, including Israeli government declarations, international human rights reports, and civilian casualty data. The data is analyzed using thematic analysis, structured around the principles of Just War Theory. The study finds that while Israel’s self-defense rationale may fulfill some jus ad bellum criteria, its military actions raise ethical and legal concerns under jus in bello. Evidence points to disproportionate force, inadequate distinction between combatants and civilians, and questionable military necessity in several operations conducted in Gaza. International reactions are divided, with some countries, like the United States, supporting Israel’s right to self-defense, while others, like South Africa, condemn its actions as potential violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). This study makes a unique contribution to the literature by applying classical JWT to a contemporary asymmetric conflict complicated by technological warfare. It advances academic discourse on the ethics of state conduct in irregular wars and offers practical insights on aligning military necessity with moral responsibility in future conflicts.
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