Arabic version: مقتل جندي من قوات حفظ السلام التابعة للأمم المتحدة في لبنان وإصابة ثلاثة آخرين

A French soldier serving with the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon has been killed in an attack, with three other soldiers wounded, according to UNIFIL and French officials. The incident occurred in the village of Ghandouriyeh in southern Lebanon and is believed to have been carried out by Hezbollah.

UNIFIL reported that two of the wounded peacekeepers are in serious condition. Initial assessments indicated that the attack was likely executed by non-state actors, allegedly Hezbollah, prompting an investigation into what has been termed a “deliberate attack.” According to Al Jazeera, French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the attack as “unacceptable” and urged the Lebanese government to take action against those responsible.

Hezbollah, however, has denied any involvement, calling for caution in making judgments about the incident. French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin stated that the patrol was ambushed while attempting to open a route to a UNIFIL post that had been isolated due to local fighting. The soldier was killed by direct small-arms fire.

Lebanon’s military has condemned the attack and announced the initiation of an investigation. President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam have both expressed their condolences and condemned the violence. This incident follows a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, which was established just days prior, and comes amid escalating tensions in the region.

UNIFIL, which has been deployed in Lebanon since 1978, has faced increasing threats in recent years, with multiple incidents resulting in casualties among peacekeepers. Last month, two UN peacekeepers were killed in a separate incident during Israel’s ground invasion of Lebanon. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for adherence to international law to ensure the safety of UN personnel in the region.