France on Saturday sharply condemned the Israeli army’s firing on patrols of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), describing the incident as part of a wider pattern of concerning actions against international peacekeepers operating in the region.
In a statement released by the French Foreign Ministry, Paris said the incident, which occurred on Friday, followed “a series of similar actions by the Israeli army against UNIFIL in recent weeks,” raising alarm over the safety of UN personnel.
France urged Israel to immediately halt such actions and to respect its international commitments, stressing that attacks or threats against peacekeepers undermine both regional stability and the credibility of United Nations missions worldwide.
The ministry specifically called on Israel “to cease its violations of UN Security Council Resolution 1701,” the resolution that ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war and established the framework for maintaining calm along the Israel-Lebanon border.
Resolution 1701 mandates the cessation of hostilities, respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty, and the role of UNIFIL in monitoring and assisting the Lebanese Armed Forces in southern Lebanon, an area that has seen rising tensions in recent months.
France also referred to the ceasefire of Nov. 26, 2024, emphasizing that it remains binding on all parties. Paris warned that repeated violations risk further escalation in an already volatile region.
“The protection of UN peacekeepers, as well as the safety and security of UN personnel, property, and premises, must be guaranteed, in accordance with international law,” the French Foreign Ministry said in its statement.
French officials underlined that UN peacekeepers operate under a clear international mandate and should never be targeted, intentionally or otherwise, during military operations.
In its statement, France also praised UNIFIL personnel for their conduct under difficult conditions, commending “the courage, professionalism, and commitment” shown by peacekeepers amid rising security risks.
France reiterated its full support for UNIFIL’s mission, saying it “reaffirms its support for the full implementation of the Force’s mandate,” and called for all parties to cooperate with the UN mission on the ground.
UNIFIL, which includes French troops among its multinational contingent, has played a central role in monitoring the ceasefire line between Israel and Lebanon and reducing the risk of wider conflict.
The condemnation comes against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Gaza, which has drawn mounting international criticism over the humanitarian toll and the conduct of military operations.
According to Palestinian health authorities, the Israeli army has killed more than 71,200 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and injured over 171,200 others since the war began in October 2023.
Despite the announcement of a ceasefire that went into effect on October 10, 2025, humanitarian conditions in Gaza have shown little improvement, according to aid agencies and international observers.
France noted that living conditions in the enclave remain dire, citing Israel’s failure to meet key obligations under the ceasefire agreement, including the entry of agreed quantities of food, medical supplies, aid, and mobile housing.
International humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned that shortages of essential goods continue to threaten the lives of civilians, particularly children, the elderly, and the wounded.
Paris has consistently called for the full and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, while urging all parties to uphold international humanitarian law.
The French government has also stressed that respect for UN missions, ceasefire agreements, and civilian protection are essential to preventing further regional destabilization.
As tensions persist on multiple fronts, France’s latest statement underscores growing international concern over the safety of peacekeepers and the broader consequences of continued violations in both Lebanon and Gaza.