Law of war

The law of war is a component of international law that regulates the conditions for initiating war (jus ad bellum) and the conduct of hostilities (jus in bello). It defines sovereignty and nationhood, states and territories, occupation, and other critical terms of law. Modern laws of war address issues such as declarations of war, acceptance of surrender, treatment of prisoners of war, military necessity, distinction, proportionality, and prohibition of certain weapons. The law of war is distinct from other bodies of law and has a long history, with early sources dating back to the Babylonians, ancient Indians, and the Bible and Qur'an. Over time, various sources have contributed to the development of the law of war, including the Roman Catholic Church, Hugo Grotius, and the Nuremberg War Trials.learn more on wikipedia