Hezbollah denies role in attack that killed French UN soldier in southern Lebanon

Lebanon’s Hezbollah group on Saturday denied any involvement in an incident that killed a French soldier and injured three others serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon.

In a statement, Hezbollah said it “denies any involvement in the incident that occurred with UNIFIL forces in the Ghandouriyeh​​​​​​​ area in the Bint Jbeil district.”

The group urged caution, stressing the need “to avoid rushing to conclusions and accusations” before the circumstances of the incident are fully clarified.

Hezbollah also emphasized the importance of continued coordination between local residents, UNIFIL and the Lebanese army, particularly under what it described as sensitive conditions.

It further expressed surprise at what it called premature accusations, saying some parties were quick to assign blame “while remaining silent during Israeli attacks on UNIFIL forces.”

French President Emmanuel Macron said one French soldier was killed and three others wounded in the attack targeting UNIFIL troops.

“Sergeant Major Florian Montorio of the 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment in Montauban was killed this morning in southern Lebanon during an attack against UNIFIL,” Macron said in a post on the US social media platform X.

“Everything suggests that Hezbollah is responsible for this attack,” he added.

UNIFIL said it has launched an investigation after one of its positions “came under small-arms fire from non-state actors” in the southern village of Ghanduriyah.

*Writing by Rania Abushamala in Istanbul