International Law Division

The ILD provides legal advice in several areas, as described below.

Operational Law

The ILD is responsible for providing legal advice on the international law aspects of the IDF's military operations in different arenas. The ILD is also responsible for providing legal advice on all matters of law to the Southern Command, the Northern Command and the Coordination and Liaison Administration for the Gaza Strip. The ILD provides advice in the following areas, amongst others: the implementation of the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) during armed conflicts; humanitarian obligations with respect to the civilian population in territories outside of the State of Israel; the legality of weaponry; and detention during hostilities.

Likewise, the ILD is responsible for the MAG Corps Operational Law Apparatus, which is responsible for providing legal advice to IDF entities during times of emergencies or hostilities, and which consists of officers serving elsewhere in the MAG Corps in their primary capacity as well as of reserve-duty officers.

ILD officers are integrated into operational planning processes, participate in trainings and provide ongoing legal advice during operational activity to relevant IDF entities.

Strategic Affairs

The ILD is responsible for providing legal advice on the international law aspects of the IDF's activities in the Palestinian, regional and international arenas.

With respect to the Palestinian arena, the ILD provides legal advice to relevant IDF entities on subjects such as the implementation of the political agreements with the Palestinians and the movement of persons and goods through the land crossings between the State of Israel and the Gaza Strip (including regarding related requests and legal proceedings).

With respect to the regional arena, the ILD provides legal advice to relevant IDF entities on subjects relating to military relations with UN and other peacekeeping forces deployed in the region, as well as with neighboring countries, including regarding the political agreements with such countries. In this regard, the ILD participates in meetings with representatives of foreign militaries and other international forces in the region.

Additionally, the ILD provides legal advice regarding the IDF's foreign relations and its cooperation with foreign militaries, including in the context of joint military exercises and international military exercises in Israel and abroad.

Implementation of International Law in IDF Operations

The ILD works constantly to ensure the implementation of the State of Israel's obligations under international law into the IDF's military directives and activities. In this regard, the ILD is actively involved in the formulation of operational procedures and orders, with respect to both force buildup (including the approval of new weaponry) as well as the use of force. Likewise, the ILD plays an active role in training IDF personnel, and each year delivers numerous lectures and training seminars in areas of international law.

Interpretation and Development of International Law

The ILD works to ensure that the international law relevant to IDF operations (with an emphasis on LOAC, the law applicable to the use of weaponry and the law applicable to the cyber realm) is interpreted and developed taking into account the challenges that arise from the complex reality with which the State of Israel is forced to contend with, as well as the challenges that face other states committed to the rule of law in the course of their military activities. Therein, the ILD participates in representing the State of Israel in various international forums, and maintains legal dialogue with representatives of foreign states and relevant organizations.

Additionally, the ILD participates in the IDF's international and public relations efforts, with a focus on international law. The ILD participates in academic and professional forums and publishes materials in different outlets. The ILD assists in contending with efforts to delegitimize the IDF's operational activity or to restrict the IDF's legitimate right and responsibility to defend the security of the State of Israel and its citizens, specifically in instances where the allegations against Israel purport to be grounded in international law.

The ILD also plays a significant part in efforts undertaken by the State of Israel to contend with legal proceedings in various legal forums on issues related to the IDF.