A French peacekeeper serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, has been killed in an attack in southern Lebanon.
The incident happened on Saturday, April 18, 2026, near the village of Ghandouriyeh. According to officials, the French UNIFIL patrol was clearing a road to reach a UN post that had been isolated by local fighting when it came under attack. One French soldier was killed and three others were wounded.
French officials identified the killed soldier as Staff Sgt. Florian Montorio. His body was later honoured by UNIFIL and French military personnel at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport on April 19.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the attack and said evidence pointed to Hezbollah being responsible. UNIFIL also blamed Hezbollah for the attack, while the group denied involvement and called for an investigation by Lebanese authorities.
The United Nations Secretary General also strongly condemned the attack and called on all sides to respect the ceasefire and protect peacekeepers serving under the UN mandate.
Lebanese officials, including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, condemned the attack and said investigations had been opened. France has also urged Lebanon to identify and hold accountable those responsible.
The killing comes during a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, which was signed on April 16, 2026, after weeks of heavy fighting. The attack has raised fresh concerns about the safety of international peacekeepers and the stability of southern Lebanon.
UNIFIL has operated in Lebanon since 1978, with a mission to monitor security in the south and support stability along the border area. Peacekeepers have faced growing risks as tensions between Israel, Hezbollah, and other armed groups continue.
The death of the French peacekeeper is likely to increase international pressure on all parties to respect the ceasefire and avoid further attacks on UN personnel.
