French justice system investigates alleged criminal Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon

After an Israeli airstrike damaged part of Jabal Amel Hospital in Tyre, Lebanon, on June 3, 2026. RAFAEL YAGHOBZADEH FOR LE MONDE While wars drag on and civilians continue to die in the Middle East, complaints pile up in Paris. Referral to the International Criminal Court is not possible and there are no measures to enforce the ceasefires signed in Washington by Israel and Lebanon. The only path currently available to challenge Israel's war in Lebanon is through the national laws of Western countries. French courts, in this case, have jurisdiction over international crimes (including war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide) committed abroad under certain conditions, based on the principle of universal jurisdiction. On these grounds, Attorney Emmanuel Daoud filed a complaint on Tuesday, June 30, for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Lebanon, on behalf of Mohamad H., a 42-year-old Franco-Lebanese resident in France. During the late hours of April 16, just minutes before a ceasefire announced between Israel and Lebanon was due to take effect, Israeli military aircraft bombed a residential area of Tyre in southern Lebanon without warning. The strike caused five buildings to collapse and killed dozens of people, including Mohamad H.'s mother, sister and two nephews. His father remains in critical condition. You have 80.69% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.