French soldier killed in Lebanon UNIFIL attack

BEIRUT — A French soldier serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon was killed and three others were wounded in an attack in southern Lebanon, French President Emmanuel Macron said Saturday.In a post on X, Macron said Sergeant Major Florian Montorio of the 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment in Montauban was killed during an attack against UNIFIL in southern Lebanon.He said three other French personnel were wounded and evacuated.“The nation bows in respect and expresses its support to the families of our soldiers and to all our military personnel committed to peace in Lebanon,” Macron said.Macron added that all indications suggest Hezbollah was responsible for the attack.He said France is demanding that Lebanese authorities immediately arrest those responsible and assume responsibility alongside UNIFIL.Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack during a phone call with Macron.Aoun said he had instructed relevant authorities to immediately investigate the incident, which he said was carried out by armed individuals in the village of Ghanduriyah.He also vowed to prosecute those responsible and offered condolences to the French president.Hezbollah later denied any involvement in the incident.In a statement, the group said it had no role in the attack in the Ghanduriyah area of the Bint Jbeil district and urged against rushing to conclusions before the circumstances are fully clarified.Hezbollah also stressed the importance of continued coordination between local residents, UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces.It added that some parties were quick to assign blame while remaining silent during previous Israeli attacks on UNIFIL forces.UNIFIL said it has opened an investigation after one of its positions came under small-arms fire from non-state actors in Ghanduriyah.