ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Laws of war

Laws of war are like rules that people who fight in wars must follow. It's kind of like how you have rules at school or at home that tell you what you can and can't do. These rules are really important because they help keep people safe and make sure everybody plays fair.

So, when people go to war, there are lots of things they can't do. For example, they can't hurt people who aren't fighting, like kids or civilians. They can't use really mean weapons that are too dangerous, like chemical weapons. They also can't hurt someone who is trying to surrender, meaning they are giving up and don't want to fight anymore.

The laws of war also say that people who are fighting must be treated nicely. Even if they are on the other team, they still deserve to be treated fairly and not be hurt more than they need to be. When people follow the laws of war, it makes fighting safer for those who are fighting and those who live in areas where fighting is happening.

If people break the laws of war, they can get in trouble. Just like how kids who break the rules get sent to the principal's office or have a timeout, soldiers who break the laws of war can face punishment. This can include getting kicked out of the military or being put in jail.

So, to sum it up, the laws of war are like rules that people who fight in wars must follow to make sure nobody gets hurt more than they need to be. Following these rules helps keep people safe and makes fighting fair.