General Discussion

Unfortunately states like the U.S. and Israel (and later Saudi Arabia and now Russia in Ukraine) have shaped the increased use of "dual use" targeting beginning with the Gulf War. Remember that the U.S. bombed Iraq's power stations way back then?

"Dual-use" targeting has watered down the core concept of IHL which is that CIVILIANS MUST BE PROTECTED.

Even if targeting a dual-use object is deemed a military objective, under IHL an attack is prohibited if the harm to civilians is excessive in relation to any military objective. That is why objects indispensable to civilian survival - like water and POWER stations - have special protection under IHL. Principles such as distinction, proportionality, humanity are to be applied. Clearly, Hegseth's military doesn't give a hoot about those principles and unfortunately he can point to precedent by the U.S. itself.

However your statement about the IHL and its treatment of dual-use objects seems incorrect and leaves out some important caveats and prohibitions.