UN SECRETARY-GENERAL, Antonio Guterres
Press Release
April 24, 2026
THE Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has strongly condemned an on Saturday, April 18, 2026, in which one French peacekeeper serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was killed and another three were injured, two seriously.
According to a UNIFIL initial assessment, the peacekeepers came under fire from non-state actors, presumed to be Hizbullah, while investigating a location where suspected improvised explosive devices had reportedly been placed on a road between two United Nations positions in the UNIFIL area of operations in southern Lebanon.
The Secretary-General, in a statement issued on his behalf, expressed 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 is the third incident in recent weeks to have resulted in the deaths of peacekeepers serving with UNIFIL and occurred despite the announcement on April 16, of a 10-day cessation of hostilities. All actors are urged to respect the cessation of hostilities and to cease fire.
The Secretary-General again called 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.
The UN Secretary-General declared that 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.”
The statement also has extended the Secretary- General’s deepest appreciation to all the women and men serving with UNIFIL. He recalls the importance of their safety and security and UNIFIL’s freedom of movement.
