What does military necessity entail regarding the use of force?

Military necessity refers to the principle that the use of force in armed conflict must be limited to what is necessary to accomplish a legitimate military objective. This means that while force may be used, it should not be excessive beyond what is needed to achieve the goal of causing submission or surrender of the enemy. The idea is that military operations should aim for efficiency and efficacy without causing undue suffering or destruction that serves no military purpose.

In this context, the focus is on achieving military objectives effectively, compelling the enemy to surrender while avoiding unnecessary loss of life and resources. This principle is established in international humanitarian law, emphasizing that all acts of warfare must also consider humanitarian concerns. Therefore, limited use of force serves to comply with these legal and ethical standards while pursuing military goals.