Jim this advice to military is provided by the Red Cross.
It explains my answer and my view.
Do you regard red Cross as advocating the killing of civilians.
If not, stop saying it about me.

Take all feasible precautions to avoid or at
least minimize death or injury to civilians or civilian property.

Before actually launching an attack that might affect the civilian population,
give advance warning, thus giving the population time to evacuate
or at least take shelter. The warning must of course be genuine and
effective. It must reach the civilians it was intended for. It must give
them enough time to react. Warnings can be given over the radio or
television, by dropping leaflets, or via the Internet. The attacker may
dispense with the warning if circumstances do not permit, namely when
the specific circumstances of the planned military operation do not make
it possible to inform the defender because the aim of the operation
could not then be achieved, for example if the element of surprise is
crucial to the success of the whole operation.

10 - OPERATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY IN DEFENCE
[ Slide 13]
In addition to the above-mentioned prohibitions and limitations on the
use of weapons and tactics applicable to all operations, those involved
in planning or conducting defensive operations need to take into
account the following requirements under the law of armed conflict.
To the maximum extent feasible, civilians must be moved away from
military objectives. The military should warn the civilian population in
advance and assist with its evacuation. If possible, civilians should be
taken to locations they know and which present no danger to them. Joint
civil/military cooperation might be required to provide food, transport
or even shelter for these civilians. Whenever possible, children should be
evacuated with their families.
Whenever possible, locate or set up your defensive positions well away
from populated areas.