A French soldier has been killed and three others wounded in an attack on United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed on Thursday.
The incident occurred near the town of Marjayoun, where a convoy of French peacekeepers serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) came under fire. The soldier identified as Sergeant Chief Florian Montorio, a member of the 17th Engineer Regiment based in Montauban, was killed in the attack. Three additional French troops were wounded and evacuated for medical treatment.
Macron condemned the assault in a televised address, stating that the attack targeted French personnel serving under the UN mandate and vowing a firm response. He emphasized that France would not tolerate violence against its armed forces operating in support of international peace efforts.
The Hezbollah movement denied any involvement in the attack, issuing a statement through its media wing rejecting allegations of responsibility. The group said it had no knowledge of the incident and condemned violence against UNIFIL personnel, calling for an independent investigation.
UNIFIL officials confirmed the attack took place along a patrolled route in the Israeli-occupied Shebaa Farms area, a region frequently cited in cross-border tensions. The mission said it was cooperating with Lebanese authorities and the French embassy to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Florian Montorio, 33, had served in the French Army for over a decade and was deployed to Lebanon as part of France’s ongoing contribution to UNIFIL. Colleagues described him as a dedicated non-commissioned officer with experience in peacekeeping and engineering operations.
The attack marks one of the most serious incidents involving UNIFIL personnel in recent months and raises concerns about the safety of international forces operating along the volatile Israel-Lebanon border. France maintains approximately 700 troops in Lebanon as part of the UN mission, which has monitored the ceasefire line since 2006.
French defense officials said they are reviewing security protocols for patrols in the region and are in close contact with UN command and Lebanese military authorities. No arrests have been reported in connection with the attack, and the investigation remains ongoing.
The incident underscores the persistent fragility of the southern Lebanon border zone, where sporadic clashes between Israeli forces, Lebanese armed groups, and Palestinian factions have periodically threatened the stability maintained by UNIFIL since the end of the 2006 war.
