What law of war principle forbids unnecessary suffering, injury, or destruction to accomplish a military purpose?

The principle that forbids unnecessary suffering, injury, or destruction to accomplish a military purpose is rooted in the concept of humanity. This principle underlines the obligation to treat all individuals humanely and to minimize suffering during armed conflict. It emphasizes that military operations should not cause excessive harm to those who are not actively participating in hostilities and that all feasible precautions should be taken to avoid unintended suffering and damage.

Humanity aims to balance military necessity with humanitarian concerns, ensuring that military actions are not only effective in achieving objectives but also morally and ethically responsible. This principle is a guiding tenet in various international humanitarian laws and emphasizes the need to uphold human dignity even amidst warfare.

In contrast, other principles like humanitarian principles focus on the overall protection of individuals, distinction pertains to differentiating between combatants and non-combatants, and proportionality addresses the relationship between military advantage gained and collateral damage incurred. While they all aim to govern conduct in warfare, humanity specifically encompasses the prohibition of unnecessary suffering.