The Secretary-General is saddened to learn that a second French peacekeeper serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has died following the attack on 18 April 2026 in which one other peacekeeper was killed and three were injured. Peacekeepers came under fire from non-state actors, presumed to be Hizbullah, while investigating the suspected presence of improvised explosive devices in the UNIFIL area of operations in southern Lebanon.
The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the peacekeeper who died, and to the Government and people of the French Republic. He wishes a full and fast recovery to the injured peacekeepers.
This was one of several incidents in recent weeks to have resulted in the deaths and serious injury of peacekeepers serving with UNIFIL. The Secretary-General again calls on all actors to uphold their obligations under international law and to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and the inviolability of UN property and assets at all times.
Attacks on peacekeepers must stop. They are grave violations of international humanitarian law and of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) and may amount to war crimes.
All attacks on peacekeepers must be promptly investigated, and those responsible must be effectively prosecuted and held accountable. In this regard, the Secretary-General welcomes the stated commitment of the Lebanese authorities with respect to the incident on 18 April.
The Secretary-General again urges all actors to respect the cessation of hostilities announced on 16 April. The United Nations is committed to supporting diplomatic efforts towards an extension of the cessation of hostilities and the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006).
The Secretary-General extends his deepest appreciation to all the women and men serving with UNIFIL. He underscores the importance of their safety and security and UNIFIL’s freedom of movement.
Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General