Volume 26 of the Yearbook of International Humanitarian Law (YIHL) centres on the law, history and politics of humanitarian action in armed conflicts and beyond. Since the late nineteenth century, when IHL was arguably founded on the neutralization of battlefield medical aid, humanitarian actors have expanded their role and mission, contributing to the evolution of contemporary international humanitarian law (IHL). Against this backdrop, authors were invited to reflect on the legal framework of humanitarian action and the ongoing relevance of fundamental humanitarian principles.

The Volume contains two chapters dedicated to the subject of humanitarian actors. The first chapter argues in favour of the reconstruction of the laws of humanitarian assistance from the perspective of humanitarian practitioners, while the second chapter foregrounds the role of the state as a key humanitarian actor. The Volume further features two general submissions investigating the legality of toxic chemicals for law enforcement purposes under the Chemical Weapons Convention, and the legal implications of tactical intelligence provision to a party to an international armed conflict. The Volume, as usual, ends with a Year in Review section.

YIHL is a leading annual publication devoted to the study of IHL. It has always strived to be at the forefront of the debate of pressing doctrinal questions of IHL. As this Volume demonstrates, it offers a space where IHL-related issues can be explored both from a doctrinal and a theoretical perspective. YIHL provides an international forum for high-quality, peer-reviewed academic articles focusing on this crucial branch of international law.

Distinguished by contemporary relevance, YIHL bridges the gap between theory and practice, serving as a useful reference tool for scholars, practitioners, military personnel, civil servants, diplomats, human rights workers and students.