The Manual’s explanation of what might be termed belligerent occupation is carefully analysed and the Chapter goes on to address when military occupation law applies, how a situation of occupation ends and when GC obligations cease to apply, the authority and obligations of the occupying power e.g. in relation to legislation and courts, the movement of persons in occupied territory and the protection of children there.

It describes the legal duty to presume that persons or objects are protected from being targeted for attack unless the available information indicates that they are military objectives.