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The European Union on Sunday condemned an attack on the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon that killed a French soldier and wounded three others, blaming Hezbollah for the assault.
"The European Union condemns the attack on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) which cost the life of a French peacekeeping soldier, and which in all likelihood was perpetrated by Hezbollah," EU spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said in a statement, expressing solidarity with France, the UN and the families of those affected.
The bloc said attacks on UN peacekeepers are unacceptable and constitute serious violations of international law, demanding they "must stop immediately." The EU reaffirmed its support for UNIFIL and described peacekeepers as playing a vital role in preserving stability along the Blue Line, the boundary separating Lebanon from Israel that has served as a flashpoint for cross-border tensions.
The EU called for "a rapid, thorough and independent investigation to ensure accountability" and urged all parties to honor the existing ceasefire.
Going further, the EU called on Hezbollah to "disarm and end its attacks immediately," a demand that reflects longstanding Western policy toward the Iran-backed militant group, which the EU designates as a terrorist organization. The statement closed with a reaffirmation of the bloc's commitment to Lebanese sovereignty, stability and broader de-escalation across the region.
UNIFIL, established by the UN Security Council in 1978 and significantly expanded after the 2006 Lebanon war, has long operated in one of the world's most volatile peacekeeping environments.
The mission, which includes thousands of troops from European nations including France, Italy and Spain, patrols southern Lebanon and monitors the Blue Line.
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