French authorities have opened a judicial investigation into a complaint alleging war crimes by the Israeli military following a deadly airstrike on a residential building in Beirut in November 2024.

The complaint was filed by French-Lebanese artist Ali Cherri, whose parents were among seven civilians killed in the November 26 attack. The case was brought with the support of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).

According to Cherri’s lawyer, Clémence Bectarte, two investigating judges from the Paris Judicial Court’s crimes against humanity unit have been appointed to examine the case. The complaint alleges that a civilian building was deliberately targeted.

The strike destroyed three floors of a 12-storey apartment building, killing seven people, including Cherri’s parents, aged 87 and 77. The complaint also refers to research by Amnesty International and Forensic Architecture.

AFP said the Israeli military has been contacted for comment. The investigation will examine the allegations and determine whether criminal responsibility can be established.

FIDH described the development as the first such judicial investigation in France concerning alleged crimes by Israeli forces in Lebanon since October 2023.