What does the principle of Proportionality in LOAC prohibit?

The principle of Proportionality in the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) is designed to ensure that the harm caused to civilians and civilian property is not excessive in relation to the anticipated military advantage gained from an attack. This principle prohibits the use of any force that exceeds what is necessary to achieve legitimate military objectives.

In this context, the reason why the chosen answer is correct lies in the idea that proportionality seeks to balance military needs with humanitarian considerations. When an attack is conducted, if the force used goes beyond what is necessary to accomplish the military objective, it can lead to unnecessary destruction and suffering, which are contrary to the principles of LOAC. Therefore, the prohibition against using force that exceeds military objectives is a core aspect of maintaining compliance with international humanitarian law.

The other choices, while they touch on important aspects of the Law of Armed Conflict, do not directly align with the principle of Proportionality as set out in LOAC. Non-combatants must indeed be protected, and unnecessary loss of military personnel is a valid concern, but they relate more to other principles of LOAC like distinction and necessity rather than proportionality specifically. The employment of lawful weapons is not prohibited under the principle of proportionality unless their use leads to