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armistice; (3) the relations between forces and the local populations during the armistice; (4)humanitarian activities to occur during the armistice; and (5) mechanisms for implementing thearmistice.Armistice provisions may address a range of political and military issues, provided thatbelligerents agree upon the terms and provided that the approving authorities are competent toaddress them. 18812.12.1 Scope of an Armistice, Including Start Time and Duration. The armistice shouldspecify its scope—when and where it applies. The start time and duration of an armistice shouldbe specified as precisely as possible (e.g., date, time, and applicable time zone) to avoidmisunderstanding and an unintentional resumption of hostilities. 189It may be appropriate for the armistice to specify that it starts at a later time to allow allforces to receive notification of the armistice before it becomes effective. 190If the armistice is of an indefinite duration, the terms and manner of giving notice thatthat armistice is to be ended (including the length of time between the delivery of the notice andwhen combat operations may recommence) should be specified in the armistice agreement. 19112.12.2 What Military Activities Are Prohibited by an Armistice. Although an armisticeis generally understood to prohibit offensive operations, the armistice agreement may specify theextent to which offensive operations are prohibited and other military activities that are alsoprohibited during the armistice. 19212.12.3 Relations Between Forces and the Local Population During an Armistice. It restswith the Contracting Parties to settle, in the terms of the armistice, what intercourse may be heldin the theater of war with the inhabitants of one belligerent State and those of the other. 193188 1956 FM 27-10 (Change No. 1 1976) 488 (“In addition to the provisions set forth in the preceding paragraph,general armistices normally contain a number of political and military stipulations concerning such matters as theevacuation of territory; disposition of aircraft and shipping; cooperation in the punishment of war crimes; restitutionof captured or looted property; communications facilities and public utilities; civil administration; displaced persons;and the dissolution of organizations which may subvert public order.”).189 1956 FM 27-10 (Change No. 1 1976) 487a (“The precise date, day, and hour for the suspension of hostilitiesshould also be stipulated. The effective times may be different in different geographical areas. An armisticecommences, in the absence of express mention to the contrary, at the moment it is signed.”).190 For example, Treaty of Armistice with Germany, Nov. 11, 1918, 2 BEVANS 9 (“An armistice has been concludedon the following conditions: … (A) CLAUSES RELATING TO THE WESTERN FRONT I. Cessation of hostilities by landand in the air six hours after the signing of the armistice.”).191 Refer to § 12.11.4.2 (Duration of an Armistice and the Resumption of Operations).192 Refer to § 12.11.4.3 (General Prohibition on Offensive Military Operations).193 HAGUE IV REG. art. 39 (“It rests with the Contracting Parties to settle, in the terms of the armistice, whatcommunications may be held in the theater of war with the inhabitants of one belligerent State and those of theother.”); LIEBER CODE art. 141 (“It is incumbent upon the contracting parties of an armistice to stipulate whatintercourse of persons or traffic between the inhabitants of the territories occupied by the hostile armies shall beallowed, if any.”). See also 1914 RULES OF LAND WARFARE 268 note 1 (“Of course, what is intended [by Article853