Franco-Lebanese filmmaker Ali Cherri, in collaboration with the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), has filed a legal complaint against Israel, accusing its military of committing war crimes. The complaint addresses the bombing of a civilian site, a critical issue under International Humanitarian Law, which defines a “civilian object” as any entity not associated with military objectives. This includes homes, hospitals, and places of worship, all protected under Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions. Violations such as these may constitute war crimes, emphasizing the necessity for strict adherence to the differentiation between military and civilian targets.
In a statement about the complaint, Wadih Al-Asmar, co-founder of the Lebanese Center for Human Rights, highlighted the effort as a pioneering judicial initiative to hold Israeli forces accountable for alleged crimes committed on Lebanese soil. Clémence Bectarte, FIDH lawyer, stressed the obligation of the French justice system to ensure these actions do not remain unchecked, particularly when French citizens are involved.
The case revolves around the November 26, 2024, bombing of Cherri’s ninth-floor apartment in Beirut’s residential neighborhood of Noueiri, just before a ceasefire was due to commence between Israel and Hezbollah. This tragic attack claimed the lives of Cherri’s parents and a domestic worker, prompting Cherri, who holds dual French-Lebanese nationality, to pursue legal action in France, where jurisdiction may apply to his property but not to the loss of his parents.
Cherri’s determination is fueled by documentation from Amnesty International and forensic analysis by Forensic Architecture, which supports claims that this attack was targeted, demonstrating Israel’s responsibility. Cherri asserts the necessity of recognition and justice for these acts, as a means of challenging impunity and preventing further civilian casualties.
The attack on Cherri’s residence is part of a larger military offensive by Israel in Lebanon since October 2023, resulting in widespread devastation and over 4,300 Lebanese fatalities. This conflict has further triggered significant legal and social ramifications across the Middle East, with countries such as Kuwait intensifying measures against dissent regarding military actions.
Adding to the gravity of these events, on March 11, 2026, Mohamad Shehab, a Forensic Architecture cameraman involved in Cherri’s case documentation, along with his young daughter, fell victim to a similar targeted strike. These ongoing incidents underscore the persistent nature of military operations impacting civilians in the region.
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