Related Rule
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”.
Egypt, Written statement submitted to the ICJ, Nuclear Weapons case, 20 June 1995, § 17.
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.
Report on the Practice of Egypt, 1997, Chapter 1.3.
In a military communiqué issued during the 1973 Middle East conflict, Egypt emphasized that only military objectives could be attacked.
Egypt, Military Communiqué No. 2, 6 October 1973.
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”.
Egypt, Written statement submitted to the ICJ, Nuclear Weapons case, 20 June 1995, § 17.
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.
Report on the Practice of Egypt, 1997, Chapter 1.3, referring to Military Communiqué No. 63, 26 October 1973, and Letter from Hafez Ismail, Counsel to the Egyptian President, to Henry Kissinger, US Secretary of State, 11 October 1973.
