Tel Aviv - The body of rules known as International Humanitarian Law can be, in the best of times, a vague and complicated read, with opposing sides to a conflict making contradicting claims based on the same line.

However, said a legal expert with the International Committee of the Red Cross, the protection of civilians during conflict is a paramount responsibility of all armed groups and military.

"Civilians must be protected at all times," said Keiichiro Okimoto in Jerusalem.

Any military attack must be "proportional," and, whether offensive or defensive, should "not cause excessive injury to civilians, civilian death or damage to civilian objects," he said.

Also, a weapon that is indiscriminate by nature, and cannot differentiate between a civilian and military target, is illegal.

If there is ever doubt as to whether an object is civilian or military, the armed force should assume it is civilian, according to the Geneva Conventions - maybe the most important part of humanitarian law.

Effective advanced warning must be given to a civilian population if an attack is about to commence.

Doctors, ambulance drivers and other medical personnel also have a special status under the law and can at no time be attacked, especially if they have the distinctive Red Cross or Red Crescent emblems. Similarly, it is illegal for armed groups to misuse the logos.

Another side to protecting civilians, explained Sari Bashi, a lawyer with the Israeli human rights group Gisha, is ensuring their basic needs.

"Before any military operation, the commander has the obligation to consider the needs of the civilian population, to prepare in advance for potential problems and respond quickly to a breakdown of humanitarian services," she said.

In the event of an occupation, the occupying power has the responsibility to supply the humanitarian aid, otherwise its duty is to ensure free passage.

The ICRC said it maintained a confidential dialogue with all warring parties in the Middle East, in an attempt to promote respect of humanitarian law by armed groups and military. (dpa)