JP 3-60, page 91

Legal Considerations in Targeting A-5 (1) Military Objectives. Planners should ensure that military objectives, and not civilian objects, are prosecuted. Sound target intelligence enhances military effectiveness and target validity. (2) Minimization of Civilian Casualties. Unless otherwise prohibited by ROE, attacks are not prohibited against military targets even if they might cause incidental injury or damage to civilians or civilian objects. In spite of precautions, such incidental casualties are inevitable during armed conflict. (a) Collateral damage to civilian objects or persons must not be excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage expected to be gained. If the attack is directed against dual-use objects that are legitimate military targets but also serve a legitimate civilian need (e.g., electrical power or telecommunications), then this factor must be carefully balanced against the military benefits when making a proportionality determination. (b) Required precautionary measures are reinforced by traditional tenets of military doctrine, such as surprise, economy of force, and concentration of effort. Warnings must be given when circumstances permit (e.g., any degradation in attack effectiveness is outweighed by the reduction in collateral damage because advanced warning allowed the adversary to get civilians out of the target area). (3) Cancellation or Suspension of Attacks. Target intelligence may be found to be faulty before an attack is started or completed. If it becomes apparent that a target is no longer a lawful military objective, the attack must be cancelled or suspended. 7. Special Protection a. Intentional and direct attacks on civilians or civilian objects are prohibited. However, the incidental injury or death of civilian personnel or damage to civilian objects at or near a military target is not an automatic cause for redress. Special protections are discussed below. b. Wounded and Sick Personnel, Medical Units, Hospitals, and Medical Transport. Under the law of war, the following are protected: (1) Fixed hospitals and mobile medical establishments. (2) Medical personnel and chaplains. (3) Ambulances and clearly marked medical transport vehicles. (4) Air ambulances and clearly marked medical aircraft. (5) Hospital ships and, where possible, sick bays of warships. (6) Wounded, sick, and shipwrecked persons, military or civilian.