French peacekeeper killed and 3 wounded in Lebanon attack

Key Points:

• A U.N. peacekeeping patrol in southern Lebanon was ambushed with small arms fire near Ghandouriyeh, resulting in the death of French Staff Sgt. Florian Montorio and wounding three others, two seriously, according to France and UNIFIL.
• The attack occurred shortly after a 10-day ceasefire began between Israel and Hezbollah, with French President Emmanuel Macron blaming Hezbollah and demanding Lebanese authorities arrest those responsible; Hezbollah denied involvement and called for caution pending investigation.
• Lebanon’s Military Tribunal has launched an investigation with army intelligence to identify the attackers, while Lebanese leaders condemned the attack and pledged cooperation with UNIFIL.
• Israel confirmed conducting strikes in southern Lebanon citing violations of the ceasefire by militants approaching Israeli positions, introducing a “Yellow Line” not mentioned in the ceasefire agreement.
• Macron urged full respect for the ceasefire and reaffirmed France’s commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty, while Hezbollah warned it will not tolerate Israeli strikes and will abandon its previous policy of strategic patience.