Second French Soldier Dies Following Attack on UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon

French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed the death of a second French soldier following an attack on United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon peacekeepers. The soldier, identified as Anise Girardin, sustained severe injuries during the incident on April 18 and later died after being evacuated to France for medical treatment.

Macron condemned the violence and expressed his condolences to the soldier’s family. The United Nations also issued a statement condemning the attack, with UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric calling for an immediate and thorough investigation to identify and hold those responsible accountable.

According to initial findings by UNIFIL, the shooting was carried out by forces affiliated with Lebanese Hezbollah. The peacekeeping mission stated that its preliminary investigation points to the group’s involvement in the incident. Hezbollah has publicly denied any connection to the attack, rejecting the allegations and calling for the Lebanese army to conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

The attack occurred in southern Lebanon, where UNIFIL has been deployed for decades to monitor the ceasefire line. UNIFIL continues to coordinate with local authorities to ensure the safety of its personnel. French officials have not released further details regarding the circumstances of the incident or the ongoing diplomatic processes following the soldier’s death.