UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed sadness over the death of Corporal Anicet Girardin, a 31-year-old French soldier serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), who succumbed to wounds sustained in Saturday’s attack. Girardin, a specialist dog handler, was part of an explosive ordnance disposal team that came under fire while clearing a road in southern Lebanon. He is the second French peacekeeper to die from the incident, which also left two others injured. Guterres condemned the assault, calling attacks on peacekeepers grave violations of international humanitarian law that may amount to war crimes.
The UN chief urged all actors to respect the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire announced last week and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting diplomatic efforts under Security Council Resolution 1701, aimed at resolving the 2006 Lebanon War. He welcomed Lebanon’s pledge to investigate the attack and prosecute those responsible, while extending condolences to Girardin’s family, colleagues, and the people of France. The incident highlights ongoing risks faced by UN peacekeepers amid tensions with non-state armed groups, reportedly Hezbollah, in southern Lebanon.