[News Terms] Despite International Community's Objections, Do Iran and Israel Adhere to 'Qisas'?

Israel and Iran's 'Cycle of Retaliation' Poses a Headache for the International Community

'Qisas' is a form of punishment in Islamic society. It is a principle of equivalent retaliation based on the phrase "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth," which was recorded in the Code of Hammurabi of the ancient Babylonian kingdom, meaning retaliation "to the extent of the harm suffered."

Islamic society adheres to Sharia, the Islamic law based on the Quran, the scripture containing the revelations of Allah, the monotheistic God of Islam. Sharia, meaning the correct way of life following God's will, is divided into 'Hudud,' which prescribes fixed punishments for major crimes, and 'Ta'zir,' where judges decide on punishments.

On the 14th (local time), Iranians gathered in front of the British Embassy in Tehran cheered at the news of missile and drone attacks by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard targeting Israel.
[Photo by Tehran EPA/Yonhap News]

Crimes under Hudud include major offenses such as murder, robbery, rape, and adultery, punishable by methods like beheading, stoning, amputation of hands or feet, and flogging. Lesser offenses are decided by a 'Qadi' (judge) under Ta'zir. Whether Hudud or Ta'zir, the standard applied is Qisas.

The right to kill or inflict injury on a murderer or assailant is granted to the victim or the victim’s heirs. However, this retaliation is only valid if the perpetrator is an adult with sufficient intelligence. Instead of equivalent retaliation, payment of compensation as a form of reparation is also recognized.

Despite international opposition, attention is focused on the timing and scale of Israel’s retaliatory strikes against Iran. Since October last year, Israel has been at war with the Palestinian armed faction Hamas in the Gaza Strip. As the death toll of Palestinian residents in Gaza exceeds 33,000, Israel has become isolated in the international community. Even its closest ally, the United States, is pressuring Israel to refrain from further retaliation that could escalate the conflict.

According to major foreign media on the 15th (local time), Israel is expected to launch retaliatory attacks against Iran as early as that day, but the scale of the attacks is anticipated to be limited considering international backlash. Israel’s wartime cabinet held an emergency meeting that day, reaching a consensus on retaliatory strikes against Iran and deciding to hold further meetings to determine the response strategy.

Consequently, speculation continues regarding the scale of Israel’s response to Iran. The most likely scenario is that Israel will launch large-scale attacks against the 'Axis of Resistance,' which includes Iran-backed groups such as Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and pro-Iran militias in Syria and Iraq.

Additionally, in accordance with the principle of proportional response, Qisas, Israel may strike Iran’s mainland, focusing on military facilities rather than civilian infrastructure.

However, concerns are rising that if Israel retaliates, Iran’s indication of a stronger counterattack could lead to a 'vicious cycle of retaliation,' potentially escalating into a full-scale war.