Egypt
Practice Relating to Rule 7. The Principle of Distinction between Civilian Objects and Military Objectives
In its written statement submitted to the ICJ in the
Nuclear Weapons case in 1995, Egypt invoked the requirement to “distinguish between … civilian objects and military objectives”.
The Report on the Practice of Egypt states that Egypt recognizes the obligation to distinguish between civilian objects and military objectives. It further notes that the principle of distinction between civilian objects and military objectives is said to be well established in Egypt’s practice and
opinio juris and is thus considered to be a customary rule of IHL.
In a military communiqué issued during the 1973 Middle East conflict, Egypt emphasized that only military objectives could be attacked.
In its written statement submitted to the ICJ in the
Nuclear Weapons case in 1995, Egypt invoked the requirement to “direct operations only against military objectives”.
On the basis of a military communiqué issued by Egypt during the 1973 Middle East conflict, the Report on the Practice of Egypt states that Egypt considers that civilian objects should be immune from attacks. The report also refers to a letter from the Counsel of the Egyptian President to the US Secretary of State condemning Israeli attacks on civilian objects.