Tensions rise in Lebanon after deadly attack on UN peacekeeping patrol

BEIRUT: Tensions have escalated in southern Lebanon after a deadly attack on a United Nations peacekeeping patrol left a French soldier dead and three others injured during a road-clearing operation.

According to officials, the incident took place in the southern village of Ghandouriyeh, where the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was working to open a route to a peacekeeping post that had been isolated due to ongoing fighting in the area.

French authorities confirmed that the soldier was killed by direct small-arms fire, while three other UNIFIL personnel were wounded, including two in serious condition. The mission said initial assessments suggest the fire came from non-state actors, with suspicion falling on Iran-backed Hezbollah, although an investigation is underway.

French President Emmanuel Macron strongly condemned the attack as “unacceptable” during calls with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. He also urged Lebanese authorities to take action against those responsible, saying early indications pointed towards Hezbollah involvement.

Lebanon’s army condemned the shooting and announced that an investigation had been launched. President Aoun expressed condolences and ordered an immediate probe, while Prime Minister Salam also denounced the attack.

UNIFIL described the incident as a “deliberate attack” and confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine responsibility. The peacekeeping force, first deployed in 1978, has continued operations in southern Lebanon despite repeated periods of conflict, including heavy violence in 2024.

Hezbollah, however, denied any involvement in the attack, rejecting what it called “baseless accusations” and expressing surprise at the allegations.

In a separate development, the Israeli military said it had killed members of what it described as a “terrorist cell” in southern Lebanon, claiming they violated a US-brokered ceasefire and posed a threat to its forces. Israel said it retains the right to self-defence under the ceasefire arrangement.

The ceasefire agreement, which came into effect recently, aims to reduce hostilities and allow space for diplomatic negotiations, but the latest violence has raised fresh concerns over stability in the region.