Mastodawn

Rights groups have slammed Pete Hegseth for saying that “no quarter” will be shown to Iran.

"No quarter" includes executing people who've surrendered.

The mere announcement from a govt official can be a war crime.

Such threats are illegal under the Hague Convention & US domestic laws & military manuals.

Hegseth has publicly claimed he would not abide by “stupid rules of engagement”

Hegseth is military trained & he's no fool:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Hegseth

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said there would be ‘no quarter, no mercy’ as US continues to pummel Iran.

Al Jazeera

I argue that international law is not the issue here. It's one of practicality.

A belligerent that offers medical id and humane treatment of prisoners is more likely to see its own soldiers get the same.

If we are cruel on the battlefield, we will see our own pilots executed by burning in a cage.

Re "international law is not the issue here. It's one of practicality."

They're not mutually exclusive. And oughtn't to be if we favour rule of law above fascism