French Prosecutor Requests Investigation into the Occupation's Killing of Two French Children in Gaza

SadaNews - The French public prosecutor for combating terrorism has requested the opening of an investigation into "war crimes" following the killing of two French children by the occupation as a result of its bombing in the Gaza Strip, according to sources confirmed to Agence France-Presse.

Occupation forces killed the two children, Janna Abu Dhaheer (6 years old) and Abdul Rahim Abu Dhaheer (9 years old), in a bombing on October 24, 2023.

According to the complaint, the family sought refuge in a house in northern Gaza to escape the bombing before it was hit by two missiles, one of which directly targeted the bedroom, killing Abdul Rahim immediately, while Janna later died. Their younger brother Omar and their mother Yasmin sustained serious injuries.

Jacqueline Rivolt, the children’s maternal grandmother, has filed a lawsuit against Israel on charges of "murder" and "genocide", with the Human Rights League joining the case as a civil party.

Three months after filing the complaint, the prosecutor requested that the investigating judge open an investigation "against unknown persons" on charges of committing war crimes, citing "a deliberate attack on civilians" and targeting properties that do not constitute military objectives.

Abrih Aliemi, the grandmother's lawyer, stated that the prosecutor's decision is a "significant step", adding, "An investigation will be conducted into the Israeli bombing that resulted in the deaths of the two French children".

On the other hand, the prosecutor specializing in war crimes committed against French citizens deemed that there is "no need" to investigate claims of "genocide" or "crimes against humanity", despite the complaint made by the victims' grandmother and the Human Rights League.

Emmanuel Dawood, the lawyer for the Human Rights League, expressed regret over what he described as "limiting the investigation to war crimes", considering that the prosecutor has shown a "clear desire to narrow the scope of the investigation".

This case comes within the context of other complaints filed in France regarding possible violations against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, including a complaint filed by human rights organizations against two Israeli French soldiers, accusing them of executing civilians in Gaza.