In the wake of Israel’s genocidal attacks on Gaza, growing civilian casualties in Ukraine and an “epidemic” of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a study found that international laws were incapable of reducing the impacts of war, while torture and rape during conflicts continued without impediment. The study, titled War Watch, documents widespread civilian harm, the systematic targeting of non-combatants and a persistent failure by the international community to enforce existing legal safeguards. The report argues that the growing use of drones and imprecise weapons in populated areas has significantly amplified civilian suffering. The authors emphasise that such crimes persist because perpetrators rarely face prosecution, despite clear prohibitions under international law. The study concludes that while the Geneva Conventions legally bind states to respect and ensure respect for international humanitarian law in all circumstances, a widening gap has emerged between treaty obligations and actual conduct during war.

Source: International New York Times February 02, 2026 11:53 UTC