France summons Israeli ambassador over shots fired at UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon

France has summoned Israel‘s ambassador after Israeli troops reportedly opened fire on positions held by UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, including at the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon’s (UNIFIL) main base in Naqoura, the French foreign ministry said on Friday.

Incident sparks diplomatic response

The incident occurred as tensions rise in the region, with Israeli forces reportedly targeting three UNIFIL positions, prompting immediate condemnation from France. “These attacks constitute serious violations of international law and must stop immediately,” the French foreign ministry stated, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding peacekeepers in conflict zones.

France, which has approximately 700 troops participating in the UNIFIL mission, affirmed that none of its soldiers had been wounded in the attack.

The Israeli military announced that they are conducting a review following the accidental injury of two U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, according to a statement released by the Israeli army on Friday. The review comes after peacekeepers were inadvertently wounded during ongoing clashes between Israel and Hezbollah. Since last week, both sides have engaged in targeted military actions near the Israeli-Lebanese border.

UNIFIL, the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, issued warnings about the serious risks to its blue helmets after two peacekeepers were injured near the Israeli border. The injured peacekeepers, identified as Sri Lankan soldiers, were hurt when an Israeli tank fired a round near a U.N. observation tower in Naqura on Friday. The U.N. mission confirmed that several blast walls at their positions near Labbouneh were damaged during the incidents.

UNIFIL criticizes Israeli military actions

UNIFIL reported that an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) bulldozer had knocked over barriers at a U.N. position near the Blue Line in Labbouneh, with IDF tanks advancing near the site. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack, which injured two Indonesian U.N. peacekeepers, calling it a violation of international law. Guterres urged restraint to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.

Global reactions call for peace

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer also expressed concern, stating that he was “appalled” by reports of Israeli forces firing at peacekeepers, and underscored the importance of protecting civilians and U.N. personnel. Starmer reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire and diplomatic efforts to end the violence.

Human Rights Watch urged the U.N. to conduct an inquiry into the Israeli military’s actions against peacekeepers. This call comes amid mounting international concern over the safety of U.N. personnel in southern Lebanon. The U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the incidents, highlighting the importance of protecting peacekeepers and calling for maximum restraint from all sides.

Lebanon’s humanitarian response

The Lebanese Red Cross played a critical role in responding to the strikes, deploying ambulances and volunteers to aid the injured. Gabriel Karlsson of the British Red Cross praised their efforts, emphasizing the importance of humanitarian support amid escalating violence in the region.

UN Peacekeepers face ‘serious risks’

UNIFIL, the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, issued warnings about the serious risks to its blue helmets after two peacekeepers were injured near the Israeli border. The injured peacekeepers, identified as Sri Lankan soldiers, were hurt during explosions that occurred near a U.N. observation tower in Naqura on Friday.

The U.N. mission confirmed that several blast walls at their positions near Labbouneh were damaged during the incidents.