Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said that Israel’s decision constituted a “declaration of war.”

Right, and it’s about time. But hasn’t Hamas’ own charter always declared it is at war with Israel?

Anyway, there is no such legal concept as “hostile entity” no matter how many times westerners especially try to update the Geneva Conventions to account for non-state actors with the power of actual states. Perhaps Israel can lead the way in creating a more realistic international understanding of contemporary warfare.

I doubt the world will care. International law already considers combatants who hide among civilians responsible for harm to those civilians, not the legitimate forces fighting those combatants.

Unless the legitimate forces are Israeli.