French judges launch war crimes probe into Israeli strike in Lebanon

The investigation follows a complaint filed by French-Lebanese artist Ali Cherri, whose parents were among those killed in the November 2024 bombing. His lawyer, Clemence Bectarte, confirmed that the Paris Judicial Court has appointed two investigating judges to examine the case.

Investigation focuses on deadly Beirut bombing

The complaint was filed by Cherri as a civil party with the International Federation for Human Rights, seeking legal action over the deaths of his parents and five other civilians. Bectarte said the court’s decision to appoint two judges was “a first” in a case involving alleged Israeli war crimes in Lebanon.

The bombing targeted a 12-storey residential building in central Beirut on November 26, 2024. According to the complaint, seven civilians were killed, including Cherri’s father, aged 87, and mother, aged 77, while three floors of the building were destroyed.

The attack took place “just a few hours before the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah came into effect,” the complaint stated. It also referred to investigations conducted by Amnesty International and Forensic Architecture into the bombing.

Artist demands justice for civilian victims

Cherri said he had taken legal action “for the dignity of all civilian victims”. He explained that he wanted those responsible for the deaths of his parents and other civilians to face justice.

“For nearly two years, I have been fighting… to ensure that the Israeli bombing that killed my parents and five other civilians does not go unpunished,” he said.

He also stressed that the attack on his family was not an isolated incident. “What happened to my parents is not an isolated case… I hope this investigation will help break the impunity enjoyed by Israeli officials responsible for attacks against civilians in Lebanon and Palestine,” he added.

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah began after the October 7, 2023 events and the start of the war on Gaza. Fighting later turned into a full-scale war in September 2024, killing more than 4,000 people in Lebanon and forcing over a million others to leave their homes.

Other war crimes complaints under review

The French investigation is the first of its kind involving alleged war crimes by Israeli forces in Lebanon, but several other cases are also awaiting legal action. One complaint was filed by a French-Lebanese man identified as Mohamad H., who lost his mother, sister and two nephews in Israeli strikes on the southern Lebanese city of Tyre during the night of April 16-17.

Another case involves a French businessman born in Lebanon who accused the Israeli army of destroying around 600-year-old olive trees belonging to his family in a southern Lebanese village. The complaint highlights alleged damage to family property during military operations.

France’s National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) has also opened an investigation into allegations of torture and war crimes involving Israeli forces’ interception of humanitarian flotillas travelling towards Gaza in 2025 and 2026. The office handles cases involving alleged war crimes and related international crimes.

France examines other cases linked to Gaza

The PNAT has also asked a Paris judge to investigate the deaths of two French children in an Israeli bombing in Gaza in October 2023. However, sources close to the case said prosecutors had ruled out charges of genocide and crimes against humanity.

The Israeli military has been contacted by AFP for a response to the investigation. No response from the military was included in the report.

The French investigation could become an important legal development in cases involving alleged attacks on civilians in Lebanon. However, opening an investigation does not mean that anyone has been found guilty.

The appointment of two judges means the complaint will receive formal judicial examination. The findings could also affect other cases involving alleged violations during the conflicts in Lebanon and Gaza.

If the investigation produces sufficient evidence, it could increase pressure for accountability. The outcome will depend on the evidence, legal findings and decisions of the French courts.

Also read: Israeli attacks on Lebanon leave over 3,200 dead and 9,737 wounded