France has called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council following a series of Israeli attacks that killed several UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot issued a sharp condemnation Monday, describing the incidents as violations of international norms and demanding full accountability.
Condemnation of deadly strikes on UNIFIL personnel
“France condemns in the strongest possible terms the gunfire that caused the death, on March 29, of an Indonesian UNIFIL peacekeeper and injured three other members of the Force, as well as the explosion that caused the death, on March 30, of two other Indonesian peacekeepers and injured two more members of the Force,” Barrot said in a statement posted on X. He added that such attacks near peacekeeper positions are “unacceptable and unjustifiable,” offering condolences to Indonesia and wishing a swift recovery to the wounded.
Intimidation of French contingent also condemned
The French minister also denounced incidents involving the French contingent of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) stationed near Naqoura. “These threats to security and acts of intimidation by Israeli army soldiers against UN personnel are unacceptable and unjustifiable, especially since deconfliction procedures had been respected,” he said, noting that France had conveyed its position firmly to the Israeli ambassador in Paris.
Call for accountability and adherence to Resolution 1701
Barrot urged all parties to respect UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which governs the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon, and to guarantee the safety of UN personnel. “UNIFIL must be able to fully implement its mandate and exercise complete freedom of movement,” he said. The peacekeeping mission separately reported that two peacekeepers were killed Monday “when an explosion of unknown origin destroyed their vehicle” near the southern Lebanese village of Bani Hayyan.