France opens genocide complicity investigations over Gaza aid blockade

French anti-terror authorities have opened two investigations into allegations of genocide-related crimes, following accusations that French-"Israeli" nationals participated in efforts to obstruct humanitarian aid destined for Gaza earlier this year.

According to France's national anti-terror prosecutor's office (PNAT), the probes are centered on possible "complicity in genocide," "incitement to genocide," and "complicity in crimes against humanity" between January and May 2024. These mark the first known French criminal inquiries into potential violations of international law linked to the war in Gaza.

The investigations were triggered by two separate legal complaints. One was filed in November by the Jewish French Union for Peace and a French-Palestinian victim, targeting individuals allegedly tied to hardline pro-"Israel" groups "Israel is forever" and "Tzav-9." The complaint claims they physically blocked trucks carrying humanitarian aid at "Israeli" border checkpoints.

Lawyers representing the plaintiffs expressed relief at the decision to move forward with a probe. “We are pleased that the events from January 2024 are now being scrutinized — a time when no one wanted to hear anything about genocide,” said attorneys Damia Taharraoui and Marion Lafouge.

Sources close to the case said the incidents in question occurred at the Nitzana and Karam Abu Salem crossings, where demonstrators, including relatives of "Israeli" captives, reportedly forced aid trucks to turn back. A second complaint, filed by the group Lawyers for Justice in the Middle East (CAPJO), presented videos, photos, and public statements as evidence against the same individuals.

In a separate case made public the same day, the grandmother of two French children killed in an "Israeli" airstrike in Gaza submitted a legal complaint to the Paris court, accusing "Israel" of genocide and murder. The strike reportedly took the lives of 6-year-old Janna and 9-year-old Abderrahim Abudaher on Oct. 24, 2023.

“We believe these children are dead as part of a deliberate organised policy targeting the whole of Gaza’s population with a possible genocidal intent,” said the family's lawyer, Arie Alimi. The children’s younger brother, Omar, was severely injured and remains in Gaza under the care of their mother.

Although filed against unnamed parties, the grandmother’s complaint directly accuses "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his government, and the military. Notably, the children’s mother, a French citizen, was convicted in absentia in 2019 for allegedly funding terrorism through donations to Hamas and Islamic Jihad members.

While no court has officially labeled the conflict as genocide, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has repeatedly instructed the Israeli Occupation to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and to avoid actions that could amount to genocide. Despite this, UN agencies report that the entire population of Gaza remains at risk of famine.

Tensions have further escalated over reports that Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) fired on Palestinians attempting to collect food from a US-backed aid distribution point, prompting backlash and leading several international NGOs and the UN to distance themselves from the operation. Concerns have been raised that the aid program is shaped to align with IOF goals.

Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity. A similar case against Hamas commander Mohammed Deif was dropped in February after it was confirmed he had been killed.