[jdietrich]

>This sets a dangerous precedent for attacking unsuspecting army personnel

Israel and Hezbollah are at a state of war. Hezbollah is a paramilitary organisation that does not meaningfully distinguish between military and civilian staff. There is already a very clear legal precedent - being an unsuspecting or off-duty combatant offers you no protection under international humanitarian law. Unless you're hors de combat, you're a legitimate target at all times. Sabotage of this type is an entirely legitimate ruse of war.

[murderfs]

By that logic, aren't the vast majority of Israeli adults legitimate military targets due to mandatory conscription and reserve service?

[jdietrich]

"While in some countries, entire segments of the population between certain ages may be drafted into the armed forces in the event of armed conflict, only those persons who are actually drafted, i.e., who are actually incorporated into the armed forces, can be considered combatants. Potential mobilization does not render the person concerned a combatant liable to attack."

https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/customary-ihl/v1/rule3