Certain ruses of war, intended to mislead an adversary or to induce it to act recklessly, do not contravene international law. Examples given in [the 1977 Additional Protocol I] are camouflage, decoy, mock operations and disinformation. Others are surprise, ambush, psychological operations and deception by communication or movement.
Ruses of War – Permitted Deception. (Article 24, IV Hague Convention; Article 37(2), Protocol 1 of the Geneva Conventions.) Certain ruses of war, intended to mislead an adversary or to induce it to act recklessly, do not contravene international law. Examples given in Protocol 1 are camouflage, decoy, mock operations and disinformation. Others are surprise, ambush, psychological operations and deception by communication or movement.
South Africa, Revised Civic Education Manual, South African National Defence Force, 2004, Chapter 4, § 56(a).