Define the term "war crimes."

The term "war crimes" specifically refers to serious violations of the laws and customs of war. These violations encompass a range of actions that contravene internationally recognized rules governing armed conflict, such as those outlined in the Geneva Conventions. War crimes include acts such as intentionally targeting civilians, using prohibited weapons, treating prisoners of war inhumanely, and engaging in acts of genocide or ethnic cleansing.

The unique aspect of defining war crimes lies in their international legal framework, which aims to hold individuals accountable for these grave offenses that occur in the context of armed conflict. This accountability mechanism serves as a deterrent against egregious behavior during war and seeks justice for victims.

Other options provided do not accurately represent the established legal definition of war crimes. Attacks on civilian infrastructure during peacetime do not fall under the category of war crimes, as the legal framework governing war crimes specifically pertains to actions taken during an armed conflict. Terrorist activity is a broader term that encompasses various unlawful acts intended to instill fear and does not have the same specific legal definitions associated with war crimes. Similarly, acts of espionage, while relevant to wartime conduct, are not categorized as war crimes unless they violate specific rules of warfare set forth in international law. Therefore