text: General Background and Basic Principles of the Law of Armed Conflict
  Cross, which is a voluntary aid society under GWS art. 26). Impartial humanitarian organizations must also
  act within the terms of their humanitarian mission. In addition, these organizations must refrain from acts
  harmful to either side, such as direct participation in the conflict. Performing their humanitarian function is
  not direct participation, however, even if it assists one side or the other by providing medical relief.
  ACCESS
  1-112. States may control access to their territory, and belligerents may control access to their military
  operations. The entry of the ICRC or other non-governmental organizations into a State’s sovereign territory,
  or into a theater of military operations, is subject to the consent of relevant States and exceptions for
  imperative military necessity (GWS art. 9; GWS Sea art. 9; GPW art. 9, 10; GC art. 10, 11; consider AP I
  art. 71(1)). States may attach conditions to their consent, including necessary security measures. But
  commanders have discretion, based on legitimate military reasons, to deny requests from impartial
  humanitarian organizations for military support, including classified or sensitive information, or dedicated
  security. Amended CCW Protocol II, for example, provides for protecting humanitarian organization
  personnel from the effects of mined areas “so far as possible” (CCW Amended Protocol II art. 12).
  SPECIAL STATUS OF THE ICRC
  1-113. The Geneva Conventions explicitly recognize the special position of the ICRC among impartial
  humanitarian organizations (GPW art. 125; GC art. 142). Similarly, Congress has specifically authorized—
  and the President has designated—the ICRC to be extended the same privileges and immunities that are
  afforded public international organizations in which the United States participates (22 United States Code
  [USC] § 288f-3). The President has also recognized the role of the ICRC in visiting individuals detained in
  armed conflict (see Executive Order 13491). The ICRC does important work in visiting detainees, facilitating
  communication between detainees and their families, organizing relief operations, and undertaking similar
  humanitarian activities during armed conflict; it also provides confidential reports to the detaining power to
  facilitate humane treatment of detainees. As a practical matter, good relations with ICRC representatives in
  the field are essential to conducting detainee operations. In common practice the ICRC fulfills the functions
  of a central information agency for POWs and civilian internees during armed conflict (GPW art. 123; GC
  art. 140). In addition, the ICRC often issues policy proposals or non-binding interpretive guidance on a
  variety of international law issues; but, although sometimes influential, these are not binding on States. In
  some cases, the United States has not accepted the ICRC’s proposals or interpretations and instead expressed
  opposing views.
  END OF HOSTILITIES AND LOAC RULES
  1-114. In general, LOAC rules for the conduct of hostilities cease to apply when hostilities have ended.
  Hostilities end when opposing parties decide to end hostilities and actually do so, that is, when neither the
  intent-based nor conduct-based tests for when armed conflict exists are met (see paragraphs 1-11 through 1-
  15). Parties to a conflict often have negotiated peace treaties to end hostilities, while armistice agreements
  are negotiated merely to suspend hostilities (see generally paragraphs 7-65 to 7-121 [armistices]). In addition,
  the UN Security Council may require certain steps leading to the end of hostilities (see DOD Law of War
  Manual, 12.14). In drafting and interpreting agreements to end hostilities, it is important to understand the
  rules normally applicable to the cessation of hostilities. Agreements for cessation of hostilities may refer to
  provisions in the Geneva Conventions or other LOAC instruments. These agreements may modify or
  supplement the rules normally applicable to the cessation of hostilities, for example, by specifying precisely
  when a legal obligation is triggered or satisfied.
  1-115. Under LOAC, certain duties that have arisen during hostilities may continue after hostilities have
  ended. For example, POWs are protected from the moment of capture until their final release and repatriation
  (GPW art. 5). Also, duties under occupation law may continue after hostilities have ended (GC art. 6).
  1-116. Certain obligations are triggered at the end of hostilities. For example, the end of hostilities triggers
  obligations regarding the marking of minefields, demining, or clearance of unexploded ordnance (see DoD
  Law of War Manual, 6.12.12 and 6.20.5). In addition, detainees, in general, must be released and returned to
  the party to the conflict to which they belong (see GPW art. 118; GC art. 133).