Macron blames Hezbollah for killing French peacekeeper, party denies involvement
Sergeant-Chief Florian Montorio was the victim of an "ambush," according to the french minister of the armed Forces.
by L'Orient Today staff · L'Orient TodayThe United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was the target of a new attack in southern Lebanon on Saturday, resulting in heavy human toll: A French peacekeeper was killed and three others were wounded and hospitalized, according to the international force. French President Emmanuel Macron blamed Hezbollah for the shooting against the soldiers.
According to UNIFIL’s statement, published on its X account, "a patrol assigned to clearing explosives from a road in the village of Gandourieh (Bint Jbeil district) in order to restore access to isolated UNIFIL positions was fired upon with small arms by non-state actors." "Unfortunately, one peacekeeper succumbed to his injuries and three others were wounded, two of them seriously," the statement added.
UNIFIL condemned "this deliberate attack against peacekeepers who were carrying out their assigned tasks" and said it had launched an investigation "to determine the circumstances of this tragic incident." "According to the initial findings, the shots came from non-state actors (very likely Hezbollah)."
An 'ambush'
French President Emmanuel Macron announced the death of the French peacekeeper on Saturday in southern Lebanon, also pointing to the possible responsibility of Hezbollah. "Sergeant-Chief Florian Montorio of the 17th Paratrooper Engineer Regiment of Montauban fell this morning in southern Lebanon during an attack on UNIFIL. Three of his brothers-in-arms were injured and evacuated. The nation bows in respect and offers its support to the families of our soldiers and to all our military personnel engaged for peace in Lebanon," the French president wrote on his X account.
For him, "everything suggests that the responsibility for this attack lies with Hezbollah." "France demands that the Lebanese authorities immediately arrest the perpetrators and take their responsibilities alongside UNIFIL," he added.
French Minister of the Armed Forces Catherine Vautrin also announced the death of the French peacekeeper, who "was on a mission opening a route to a UNIFIL post isolated for several days by fighting in the area (when) he was caught in an ambush by an armed group at very close range." She added on her X account: "Hit immediately by direct small-arms fire, he was retrieved under fire by his comrades, who were unable to revive him."
For its part, the Lebanese army reported "exchanges of fire with armed individuals" that led to the incident with UNIFIL. "The army command condemns the incident involving a UNIFIL patrol in the Gandourieh, Bint Jbeil region, after an exchange of gunfire with armed men that caused injuries among the patrol members," the statement said.
Phone call between Macron, Aoun
On the Lebanese side, President Joseph Aoun raised the issue of the French officer’s death in a call with Macron, who phoned him on Saturday at midday, according to a statement from the presidency.
Aoun told his French counterpart that he "had given instructions to the competent services for an immediate investigation in order to determine responsibility in this incident," assuring that "Lebanon would spare no effort in pursuing those involved, in order to bring them to justice."
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also ordered an investigation.
Hezbollah denies any involvement
In a statement issued Saturday afternoon, Hezbollah denied "any involvement" in the incident that claimed the life of the French peacekeeper in Gandourieh. The party called for "caution before making accusations and forming judgments, pending the results of the investigation conducted by the Lebanese army to determine the exact circumstances of what happened."
"Hezbollah also emphasizes the ongoing cooperation between the local population, UNIFIL, and the Lebanese Army, stressing the importance of coordination between these two entities in their operations, especially in this sensitive context," the statement continued. "In this context, Hezbollah says it is surprised at the hasty accusations made against it, especially given the silence of these same parties when the Israeli enemy attacks UNIFIL forces."
This direct attack against UNIFIL is far from the first in southern Lebanon. In March-April 2026 alone, Indonesian peacekeepers were killed in several explosions on March 29 and 30, 2026. On April 3, a new explosion injured three soldiers, two of them seriously.
These incidents were attributed either to Israeli fire or Hezbollah fire, but they took place within the context of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in a war lasting since March 2, which is not the case for the April 18 incident, which occurred after the cease-fire took effect on April 16. That incident is reminiscent of the death of Irish soldier Sean Rooney on Dec. 14, 2022, who was targeted by small-arms fire while passing through the village of Aqibieh, in the South.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Joe Rajji sent a message of condolence to his French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot, following the death of Staff Sergeant Florian Montorio, killed "in the line of duty while serving the peacekeeping mission," and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded. Rajji strongly condemned these "criminal and cowardly acts" and affirmed that the Lebanese state will ensure that the perpetrators are prosecuted and punished.
The latest incident with UNIFIL in southern Lebanon comes at a time when Hezbollah appears isolated on the Lebanese scene, and when its relations are strained with the authorities, who have declared its military activities illegal and have engaged in direct talks with Israel, despite its refusal.
On Saturday morning, coinciding with this tragic incident in the south, two Hezbollah figures, including Hassan Fadlallah, a member of parliament representing the town of Tebnine, launched a scathing attack on President Joseph Aoun.
The previous day, Aoun had delivered a particularly firm address to the nation, in which he reaffirmed the Lebanese state's determination to extend its sovereignty over all its territory, including through the disarmament of Hezbollah.
Lebanese condemnation
Defense Minister Michel Menassa condemned the attack, stating that “UNIFIL has been providing support and assistance for 48 years to maintain security and stability in South Lebanon, and any attack against it is unacceptable and condemned.”
He stressed that “the current situation demands the utmost vigilance and maximum national responsibility, as well as particular attention to the risk of escalation and Israel’s need to justify its non-compliance with the cease-fire.”
In this regard, Menassa contacted the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Catherine Vautrin, and the French Ambassador to Lebanon, Hervé Magro, to offer his condolences and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded. He commended UNIFIL’s efforts and the role of the French contingent, emphasizing “the deep-rooted Franco-Lebanese friendship, which such incidents will only strengthen and consolidate.”
Energy and Water Minister Joe Saddi also offered his “sincere condolences to France, its government, and its people, who have always stood by Lebanon and its people in all circumstances,” in a post on X. “It is imperative that all those responsible for this crime be swiftly arrested and brought to justice in order to put an end to the anarchy,” he added.
Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar strongly condemned the attack, reaffirming Lebanon’s full solidarity with France in the face of this tragic event. In a telephone conversation with Ambassador Hervé Magro, Hajjar offered his condolences and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded. He commended the sacrifices made by UNIFIL forces and their role in maintaining security and stability in southern Lebanon.
The Saudi Foreign Affairs Ministry also condemned the attack targeting the U.N. peacekeepers, followed by Qatar.
Similarly, the United Arab Emirates condemned the incident and expressed its “solidarity with the UNIFIL participating countries.” The UAE called on the Lebanese authorities to “fulfill their duty to protect peacekeepers, conduct an investigation, and take the necessary legal action.”
The UAE further reiterated its support for Lebanon “in these delicate circumstances,” as well as its support for the arms monopoly.
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