French-Lebanese artist Ali Cherri.
France investigates war crimes complaint against 'Israeli' army in Lebanon
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- France opened a war crimes inquiry into a 2024 'Israeli' strike that killed artist Ali Cherri’s parents and five other civilians in Beirut
- Paris Judicial Court's Crimes Against Humanity Division took the case following an FIDH-backed complaint
- The investigation marks France's first probe into 'Israeli' war crimes in Lebanon since October 2023
- Cherri welcomed the development as a major breakthrough, supported by Amnesty International, Forensic Architecture, and CLDH
French judicial authorities have formally opened a war crimes investigation into an 'Israeli' airstrike that hit a residential property in Beirut on November 26, 2024, killing seven civilians, including the parents of French-Lebanese artist Ali Cherri.
In a public statement detailing what he termed a "major legal breakthrough," Cherri announced that two investigating magistrates from the specialized Crimes Against Humanity Division of the Paris Judicial Court have been designated to lead the judicial inquiry.
The formal investigation follows a civil party complaint Cherri submitted seven months ago in collaboration with the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).
The judicial probe specifically investigates allegations of intentionally directing attacks against civilian property, an act that constitutes a war crime under international humanitarian law.
To the knowledge of the plaintiff and legal representatives, the proceedings represent the first judicial investigation initiated in France into war crimes committed by the 'Israeli' military in Lebanon since the escalation of regional hostilities in October 2023.
"For me and my family, this is huge," Cherri said in his statement, emphasizing the significance of legal accountability.
"Knowing that an investigation has finally started, and that maybe one day Israel will have to answer for what they did. I know it’s only the beginning. I know it’s not gonna be easy. But I need to keep going. For my mother and father, and for everyone who was killed that day." Cherri added.
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Cherri extended gratitude to his lead counsel, Clémence Bectarte, and her legal team, as well as partner rights advocacy and research bodies that facilitated the submission, including FIDH, Amnesty International, Amnesty France, research agency Forensic Architecture, and the Lebanese Center for Human Rights (CLDH).
