Why are attacks on hospitals prohibited under the laws of war?

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Adolf Eichmann listening to an Israeli court's verdict — War crime Former Nazi official Adolf Eichmann listening as an Israeli court declares him guilty on all counts at his war crimes trial in Jerusalem, 1961.

Attacks on hospitals are prohibited under the laws of war because they are essential for the protection of the wounded and sick, a principle that is fundamental to international humanitarian law.

The development of these protections arose from a growing awareness that international cooperation was necessary to safeguard those who are unable to defend themselves due to injury or illness. This humanitarian imperative led to the establishment of the Geneva Conventions, which codify the obligation to protect medical facilities and personnel.1

By shielding hospitals from military operations, the law upholds the ethical principle that the suffering of the vulnerable must be minimized, even during armed conflict. This distinction between combatants and those requiring medical care is a cornerstone of the law of war, ensuring that medical institutions remain sanctuaries for the treatment of victims rather than targets of violence.1