The IDF said that Hezbollah was responsible for killing one UNIFIL peacekeeper and wounding three others on Saturday.
The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said its peacekeepers were “clearing explosive ordnance” in southern Lebanon’s Ghandouriyeh, about 3.5 kilometers (2 miles) south of the Litani River, and “came under small-arms fire from non-state-actors.”
According to UNIFIL, the attack killed one peacekeeper, wounding three others, two of them severely. The UN force said it launched an investigation into the incident, adding that its initial assessment indicates the attack was possibly carried out by Hezbollah.
Close
French Colonel Jeremy Akil speaks to the press after the death of a French soldier following an attack against UNIFIL. Credit: AFP/VALENTINE CHAPUIS
French Colonel Jeremy Akil speaks to the press after the death of a French soldier following an attack against UNIFIL. Credit: AFP/VALENTINE CHAPUIS
“We reiterate the obligations of all actors under international law to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property at all times,” UNIFIL said in its statement.
“Deliberate attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law and of Security Council Resolution 1701, and may amount to war crimes.”
Related Articles
Macron named the slain soldier as Chief Sergeant Florian Montorio of the 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment from Montauban. “The Nation bows with respect and extends its support to the families of our soldiers and to all our military personnel engaged for peace in Lebanon,” he wrote.
Le Sergent-chef Florian Montorio du 17eme régiment du génie parachutiste de Montauban est tombé ce matin au sud-Liban lors d’une attaque contre la FINUL.
Trois de ses frères d’armes sont blessés et ont été évacués.
La Nation s’incline avec respect
“Everything suggests that responsibility for this attack lies with Hezbollah,” the French president wrote on X, adding that France “demands that the Lebanese authorities immediately arrest the perpetrators and take their responsibilities alongside UNIFIL.”
Close
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam leads a cabinet meeting, amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, as the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran continues, in Beirut, Lebanon, in March. Credit: Mohamed Azakir/Reuters
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam leads a cabinet meeting, amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, as the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran continues, in Beirut, Lebanon, in March. Credit: Mohamed Azakir/Reuters
Shortly before Macron’s post, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the “assault on soldiers in UNIFIL’s French battalion,” saying he issued “strict instructions to conduct an immediate investigation to uncover the circumstances of this assault and to hold the perpetrators accountable.”
According to the Lebanese prime minister, “It is self-evident that this irresponsible behavior causes great harm to Lebanon and its relations with friendly countries that support it in the world.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the killing, warning, in a post on X, that it was the third deadly incident involving UN peacekeepers in recent weeks and calling for respect of the cease-fire.
I strongly condemn Saturday’s attack on @UNIFIL_ during which one French peacekeeper was killed & another three were injured.
I extend my deepest condolences to the family, friends & colleagues of the fallen peacekeeper, and wish a full & fast recovery to the injured
@antonioguterres
In Beirut, three judicial officials said the country’s Military Tribunal opened an investigation over the incident and is in contact with the army’s intelligence department to work on identifying the attackers. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.
Hezbollah denied links to the attack, calling in a statement for caution in assigning blame and judgment until the Lebanese army completes its investigation to determine the full circumstances of the incident. Hezbollah said peacekeepers should coordinate with the Lebanese army in their operations.
Hezbollah expressed surprise in the statement at the hasty accusations leveled against it, which it said comes despite “silence” from these same parties “when the Israeli enemy attacks UNIFIL forces.”
Haaretz Podcast’The Hungarians turned their anxiety into hope, that’s the main lesson for Israelis’
play
Haaretz Podcast
‘The Hungarians turned their anxiety into hope, that’s the main lesson for Israelis’
Volume: 0.5
X1
total– : –time0:00
fast forward15
play
rewind15
Earlier on Saturday, the Israeli military said it carried out “precise strikes” against operatives it identified approaching Israeli troops in Lebanon in violation of the cease-fire, which went into effect on Friday for 10 days.
In a statement, the IDF said troops in southern Lebanon were approached several times from outside the Israeli-controlled area by “terrorists” that posed an “immediate threat.”
“Artillery fire was carried out in support of the ground troops operating in the area, and terrorist infrastructure sites used to facilitate attacks were struck in response to the threats,” the army added.
The IDF said later Saturday that it had also struck an underground shaft in the area controlled by Israel in southern Lebanon, “as well as Hezbollah terrorists who were identified entering it.” According to the army, “a hit was identified.”