Which statement best defines the LOAC principle of distinction?

• A. Combatants and military objectives may be targeted; civilians and civilian objects must be protected.
• B. Any target may be attacked if part of a military objective.
• C. Civilians may be targeted if they are in combat zones.
• D. Only strategic targets may be attacked.

Answer: (A)

Distinction requires that parties in armed conflict tell apart those who may be lawfully targeted from those who must be spared. Specifically, combatants and military objectives may be attacked, while civilians and civilian objects must be protected from attack. This is why the statement that captures both aspects is the best fit: it states that combatants and military objectives may be targeted, and civilians and civilian objects must be protected. The other lines loosen or ignore civilian protection—one suggests attacking any target tied to a military objective, another allows targeting civilians simply because they are in a combat zone, and another limits attacks to “strategic” targets only. Distinction emphasizes protecting civilians while permitting force against legitimate military targets.