The French judiciary has initiated an investigation into a lawsuit filed by a French-Lebanese artist, Ali Cherri, against the Israeli military for allegedly committing a war crime by targeting a residential building in Beirut in late 2024, resulting in the deaths of his parents and five other civilians. This move marks a significant step towards accountability for the victims of the Israeli military's actions in Lebanon.
According to Cherri's lawyer, Clemence Bechtart, two judges have been appointed to conduct the investigation, which was prompted by a civil lawsuit filed by Cherri and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) six months ago. Cherri expressed his relief at the development, stating that it brings him and his family closer to justice, despite acknowledging that the road ahead will be long and challenging.
The incident in question occurred on November 26, 2024, when an Israeli airstrike targeted a 12-story building in Beirut's Nawiri Street, killing seven civilians, including Cherri's parents, aged 87 and 77, and destroying three floors of the building. The lawsuit alleges that the Israeli military's actions constituted a war crime, specifically "deliberate attacks on civilian objects."
The investigation is notable for being the first judicial inquiry in France into alleged Israeli war crimes in Lebanon since the start of the conflict in 2023. Cherri's case is particularly significant, as it seeks to hold the Israeli military accountable for its actions in Lebanon, where many civilians have been affected by the conflict.
The French judiciary's move is part of a broader effort to investigate alleged war crimes committed by the Israeli military in Lebanon and Palestine. In September, the French National Terrorism Prosecutor's Office requested a judicial investigation into an alleged war crime committed by Israeli forces in Lebanon, citing "serious and consistent" evidence of wrongdoing.
This investigation follows another lawsuit filed by a French-Lebanese man, Mohammad H., who lost his mother, sister, and nieces in an Israeli airstrike on the town of Sour in southern Lebanon on April 16-17, 2026. Additionally, a French-Lebanese businessman has filed a lawsuit against the Israeli military, alleging that it uprooted 600 ancient olive trees from his family's land in southern Lebanon.
The French judiciary's investigation into alleged Israeli war crimes in Lebanon and Palestine reflects a growing trend towards holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. While the road to justice will likely be long and challenging, this development marks an important step towards ensuring that those responsible for war crimes are held accountable.
Key points
- French judges to investigate Israeli military's alleged war crime in Lebanon
- Investigation prompted by lawsuit filed by French-Lebanese artist Ali Cherri
- Case marks first judicial inquiry in France into alleged Israeli war crimes in Lebanon since 2023 conflict
