Egypt condemns attack on UN mission in Lebanon that killed French soldier

CAIRO – 18 April 2026: Egypt condemned an attack on the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Saturday, which killed a French soldier and wounded others.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Egypt categorically rejects any targeting of UNIFIL, stressing the need to enable the force to carry out its mandate in maintaining security and stability in Lebanon.

Egypt extended its condolences to the French government over the death of the soldier and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

A French peacekeeper was killed and three others were injured, two of them seriously, in an attack in southern Lebanon, which UNIFIL blamed on “non-state actors.”

UNIFIL in a statement said initial assessment indicates “the fire came from non-state actors (allegedly Hezbollah).”

The UNIFIL patrol came under small-arms fire while clearing explosive ordnance along a road in the village of Ghanduriyah, according to the statement.

Hezbollah denied any involvement in the attack, expressing “surprise at positions that rushed to make baseless accusations” against the group, according to Reuters.