French prosecutors specializing in counter-terrorism have requested an investigation into potential war crimes following the deaths of two French children in Gaza. The request comes after a formal complaint was filed regarding the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the children during the conflict.
According to reports, Jana Abu Daher, 6, and Abdul Rahim Abu Daher, 9, were killed on October 24, 2023, during bombardments in the Gaza Strip. The family had reportedly sought refuge in a home in northern Gaza to escape the fighting when the residence was struck by two rockets. One of the rockets allegedly directly hit the bedroom, resulting in the immediate death of Abdul Rahim. Jana later succumbed to her injuries. The children’s younger brother, Omar, and their mother, Yasmine, were also seriously wounded.
Jacqueline Rivault, the children’s maternal grandmother, filed a lawsuit alleging “murder” and “genocide.” The Human Rights League has joined the case as a civil party. Following a three-month review of the complaint, prosecutors have now asked an investigating judge to open an inquiry “against persons unknown” for alleged war crimes, citing a “deliberate attack on civilians” and targeting of property that did not constitute military objectives.
Arie Alimi, the grandmother’s lawyer, described the prosecutor’s decision as a “significant step,” adding, “There will be an investigation into the Israeli bombing that killed the two French children.”
However, the prosecutor’s office specializing in war crimes committed against French citizens reportedly indicated that there was “no need” to investigate allegations of “genocide” or “crimes against humanity,” despite requests from the grandmother and the Human Rights League in their complaint.
Emmanuel Daoud, a lawyer for the Human Rights League, expressed regret at what he called the “limitation of the investigation to war crimes,” arguing that the prosecution demonstrated a “clear desire to narrow the scope of the investigation.”
This case is one of several complaints filed in France concerning alleged violations against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. These include a complaint filed by human rights organizations against two French-Israeli soldiers, accusing them of carrying out summary executions of civilians in Gaza.
