ISTANBUL

The French Foreign Ministry condemned on Monday the recent Israeli attacks targeting a patrol of the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

"France condemns the Israeli fire that targeted a UNIFIL detachment on October 26, 2025. These incidents follow those observed on October 1, 2, and 11, when the Israeli army had already targeted UNIFIL positions," the ministry said in a statement.

It reiterated the need to ensure the protection of peacekeepers, as well as the safety and security of UN personnel, property, and premises in accordance with international law and UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

The ministry also noted that UNIFIL must be able to fully carry out its mandate and exercise its freedom of movement.

"France recalls that respect for the November 26, 2024 ceasefire is binding on all parties without exception, in order to guarantee the safety of civilian populations on both sides of the Blue Line, and calls on Israel to withdraw from the entirety of Lebanese territory," the statement added.

UNIFIL on Sunday said that a patrol came under grenade fire from an Israeli drone and tank fire near Kfar Kila in southern Lebanon.

It said no injuries or damage were reported in the attack.

The peacekeeping mission also said that an Israeli drone flew over a UNIFIL patrol in the same area, prompting peacekeepers to take defensive measures to neutralize it.

UNIFIL has operated in southern Lebanon since 1978 and was significantly reinforced under the UN Security Council Resolution 1701 after the 2006 war between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah.

Israel has repeatedly launched airstrikes in Lebanon on claims of targeting Hezbollah infrastructure despite a ceasefire agreement that took effect in November 2024.

Under the terms of the truce, the Israeli army was supposed to withdraw from southern Lebanon by January 2025. But it has only partially pulled out troops and continues to maintain a military presence at five border outposts.