The law is also clear that once someone becomes a combatant, he or she can be targeted as long as they retain that status, unless they surrender or openly declare themselves no longer affiliated with the combatant organization. This is especially so with regard to a terrorist group like Hezbollah that comprises both full-time soldiers and part-time terrorists, who may hold other jobs when not participating in military activities all the time.

If a person qualifies as a combatant, he or she may be targeted and killed while asleep, at work or at play. Combatants need not be actively involved in combat at the moment they are killed. Nor do they need to be actively committing terrorism when targeted. It is enough that they maintain the status of combatant.

The individuals who were given beepers, radios and other communication devices by Hezbollah were clearly combatants. Their deaths and injuries were lawful, even if they were shopping or walking when blown up.