What regulates the conduct of armed hostilities and the protection of war victims?

The law of war, also known as the law of armed conflict (LOAC), is the correct answer because it specifically addresses the conduct of armed hostilities and the protection of individuals who are not participating in the conflict, such as civilians and captured combatants. LOAC encompasses a set of international treaties and customary international law that outlines the rights and protections owed to individuals during wartime, ensuring that hostilities are conducted in a manner that minimizes unnecessary suffering and protects fundamental rights.

This body of law includes important agreements such as the Geneva Conventions, which establish standards for humane treatment and the protection of non-combatants. The principles of distinction (between combatants and civilians), proportionality (regulating the use of force), and necessity are central to LOAC and guide military operations.

In contrast, international human rights law primarily applies during peacetime and focuses on the protection of individuals within a state's jurisdiction regardless of conflict situations. While it continues to be relevant in armed conflict, it does not specifically regulate the conduct of hostilities as LOAC does.

Global trade agreements and peacekeeping protocols, while important in their respective contexts, do not directly address the conduct of armed hostilities or the protections afforded to war victims. Thus, the law of war