Intentionally wounding is considered to be a war crime. To clarify, inflicting wounds with the specific intent of avoiding fatal wounds violates international

Intentionally wounding is considered to be a war crime. To clarify, inflicting wounds with the specific intent of avoiding fatal wounds violates international pacts to which the vast majority of nations are signatory. Also, bear in mind that not every major potential combatant is a signatory to all military-related pacts. For example, the USA is not a signatory to any of the Declaration IV subsections of the Hague Conventions.