Which principle is NOT one of the four basic principles of the Law of War?

The principle that is not one of the four basic principles of the Law of War is aggression. The Law of War is guided by fundamental principles that seek to protect those who are not participating in hostilities and to restrict the means and methods of warfare.

Military necessity refers to the necessity to use force in a manner that is practical and achieves legitimate military objectives while minimizing suffering. Distinction emphasizes the need to differentiate between combatants and non-combatants, ensuring that military operations are directed solely at legitimate military targets. Humanity, often linked to the principle of proportionality, highlights the importance of minimizing suffering and protecting those who are not involved in armed conflict.

Aggression, while significant in discussions around the justification for war and international law, does not form part of the established principles that govern the conduct of warfare itself. It is more about the initiation of conflict rather than the conduct within that conflict, making it separate from the essential principles that guide the Law of War.