France urges UNSC action after Israeli attacks on peacekeepers in Lebanon

HAMILTON, Canada

France on Tuesday called on the UN Security Council (UNSC) to move beyond condemnation and take concrete action against Israel following attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, as China and Russia also pressed for de-escalation.

French UN envoy Jerome Bonnafont told the council that “grave incidents” had been committed by Israel against the French contingent in Naqoura, including against the head of the military force.

He said Israeli soldiers had shown an “aggressive attitude,” carried out intimidation, and threatened the security of French personnel despite deconfliction procedures being respected.

Bonnafont condemned “in the strongest terms” threats to United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) personnel, adding that the peacekeeping mission “must be allowed to carry out its mandate in full, without hindrance,” in line with UNSC resolutions.

“The council cannot settle for condemning. It must act,” Bonnafont said.

China’s deputy UN envoy Sun Lei backed France’s call, warning that “Lebanon must not become another Gaza,” and urging the international community “never to allow the tragedy of Gaza to be repeated.”

He called on all parties to “immediately cease hostilities” and de-escalate, and said Israel should withdraw its forces from Lebanon and respect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Russia’s UN envoy Vassily Nebenzia said the escalation in Lebanon stemmed from the “aggression” of US and Israel against Iran, which he described as a trigger for broader regional instability. He also criticized what he called a “one-sided approach” by some council members.

The United States urged caution. US envoy Mike Waltz called on the council “to pause and reserve judgment” until the UN can fully investigate the incidents.

Noting that more than 300 UNIFIL peacekeepers have been killed since 1978, Waltz said the council must carefully assess the mission’s effectiveness while pledging continued US efforts to reduce tensions and support Lebanon’s sovereignty.

The UNIFIL has operated in southern Lebanon since 1978 and was expanded under Security Council Resolution 1701 following the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Israel has carried out airstrikes and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon since a cross-border attack by Hezbollah on March 2, despite a ceasefire that took effect in November 2024.

Lebanese authorities say at least 1,247 people have been killed and 3,690 injured in Israeli attacks since then.
In a statement Monday, UNIFIL said two peacekeepers were killed in an “explosion of unknown origin” that destroyed their vehicle near Bani Hayyan in the Marjeyoun district.

The incident marked the second such attack within 24 hours, the mission said, adding that an investigation is underway.
On Sunday, UNIFIL said one peacekeeper was killed and another injured when a projectile hit a UN position near Adshit al-Qusayr in southern Lebanon.