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Articles on Civilians

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Family and friends of those taken hostage by Hamas during an attack on Israel react during a press conference on Oct. 13, 2023, in Tel Aviv, Israel. Leon Neal/Getty Images

Deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust spurs a crisis of confidence in the idea of Israel – and its possible renewal

Israel’s foundational social contract – that the government would keep Israelis safe – was severed with the deadly attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023.
A Ukrainian war crimes investigator photographs the aftermath of a Russian missile attack in Zatoka, Ukraine, on July 26, 2022. Nina Liashonok/Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Proving war crimes isn’t simple – a forensics expert explains what’s involved with documenting human rights violations during conflicts, from Afghanistan to Ukraine

Other recent conflicts that resulted in war crimes allegations help explain how complex it will be to gather evidence of war crimes in Ukraine – and provide answers for families of victims of the war.
A team of German pilots wrote “Stop the War” in the sky above Mainz, Germany, on March 9, 2022. Frank Rumpenhorst/picture alliance via Getty Images

Ukraine wants a no-fly zone. What does this mean, and would one make any sense in this war?

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked the US to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine. Doing so in this kind of international conflict would be unprecedented and might not make sense.
Evacuees from Ukraine stand under a destroyed bridge as they flee the city of Irpin on March 7, 2022. Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP via Getty Images

Humanitarian corridors could help civilians safely leave Ukraine – but Russia has a history of not respecting these pathways

Tens of thousands of Ukrainians are using humanitarian corridors to leave the country. But these routes are often announced for political reasons and do not always offer safety

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