A French peacekeeper has been killed and three others wounded after a UN patrol came under fire in southern Lebanon, in what officials described as a deliberate attack. The soldier was serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil), which confirmed that one peacekeeper had died and three others were injured, two of them seriously, when their patrol came under small-arms fire.
French President Emmanuel Macron blamed the attack on Hezbollah. The Iran-backed armed group denied 'any connection' to the incident. It comes amid heightened tensions in southern Lebanon, where peacekeepers have faced growing risks since renewed fighting between Hezbollah and Israel erupted on 2 March.
A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon came into effect on 16 April. The US, which announced the deal, urged Hezbollah to abide by its terms. 'Everything suggests that responsibility for this attack lies with Hezbollah,' Macron said. 'France demands that the Lebanese authorities immediately arrest the perpetrators and take their responsibilities alongside Unifil.'
France's Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin stated that the peacekeeper was part of a mission to reopen access to a Unifil position that had been cut off by recent fighting when it had been 'ambushed by an armed group at very close range.' Vautrin added that he sustained a direct shot from a small arms weapon and was unable to be revived despite attempts by fellow soldiers.
Unifil reported the patrol had been clearing explosive ordnance along a road in the village of Ghanduriyah to reconnect isolated positions. The team faced fire from what it characterized as non-state actors and condemned the attack as 'deliberate'.
The Lebanese Armed Forces said the incident followed exchanges of fire with armed individuals, adding that it was coordinating closely with Unifil during a sensitive time in southern Lebanon. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack and assured Macron that those responsible would be brought to justice, while Prime Minister Nawaf Salam ordered an investigation.
Hezbollah refuted the accusations against them, calling them 'rushed' and 'baseless', urging caution till the Lebanese army's investigation concludes. This incident marks a chilling escalation in what has already been a volatile region for peacekeepers, with a hike in threats amid ongoing conflict. Unifil emphasized that intentional attacks on peacekeeping forces are grave violations of international law.
Established in 1978, the peacekeeping force has documented over 330 casualties during its operations, reflecting the ongoing dangers faced in the region.
French President Emmanuel Macron blamed the attack on Hezbollah. The Iran-backed armed group denied 'any connection' to the incident. It comes amid heightened tensions in southern Lebanon, where peacekeepers have faced growing risks since renewed fighting between Hezbollah and Israel erupted on 2 March.
A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon came into effect on 16 April. The US, which announced the deal, urged Hezbollah to abide by its terms. 'Everything suggests that responsibility for this attack lies with Hezbollah,' Macron said. 'France demands that the Lebanese authorities immediately arrest the perpetrators and take their responsibilities alongside Unifil.'
France's Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin stated that the peacekeeper was part of a mission to reopen access to a Unifil position that had been cut off by recent fighting when it had been 'ambushed by an armed group at very close range.' Vautrin added that he sustained a direct shot from a small arms weapon and was unable to be revived despite attempts by fellow soldiers.
Unifil reported the patrol had been clearing explosive ordnance along a road in the village of Ghanduriyah to reconnect isolated positions. The team faced fire from what it characterized as non-state actors and condemned the attack as 'deliberate'.
The Lebanese Armed Forces said the incident followed exchanges of fire with armed individuals, adding that it was coordinating closely with Unifil during a sensitive time in southern Lebanon. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack and assured Macron that those responsible would be brought to justice, while Prime Minister Nawaf Salam ordered an investigation.
Hezbollah refuted the accusations against them, calling them 'rushed' and 'baseless', urging caution till the Lebanese army's investigation concludes. This incident marks a chilling escalation in what has already been a volatile region for peacekeepers, with a hike in threats amid ongoing conflict. Unifil emphasized that intentional attacks on peacekeeping forces are grave violations of international law.
Established in 1978, the peacekeeping force has documented over 330 casualties during its operations, reflecting the ongoing dangers faced in the region.
