Beirut ,Lebanon – September 3, 2025
France has issued a strong condemnation of the Israeli military after one of its drones dropped grenades near a detachment of UN peacekeepers in Southern Lebanon. The incident, which UN officials described as one of the “most serious attacks” on its personnel since last year’s ceasefire, has sparked a new diplomatic crisis and a renewed call from Paris for Israel to withdraw from Lebanese territory. The attack on the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) came just days after the UN Security Council unanimously renewed its mandate, reflecting the international community’s recognition of the force’s vital role in maintaining stability in the volatile border region.
The incident occurred on Tuesday morning as a UNIFIL detachment was clearing roadblocks that were hindering access to a UN position near the Blue Line, the de facto border between Israel and Lebanon. According to UNIFIL’s official statement, Israeli drones dropped four grenades close to the peacekeepers, with one landing just 20 meters from UN personnel and their vehicles. While no one was injured, the near-miss was a chilling reminder of the dangers faced by peacekeepers in the region. UNIFIL stressed that the Israeli military had been informed in advance of its road clearance work and called the attack a “serious violation” of UN Resolution 1701 and international law.
In a swift and forceful response, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs issued a statement “strongly condemning” the attack. The statement emphasized that the protection and security of UN personnel must be guaranteed under international law and underscored the need for all parties, “without exception,” to respect the ceasefire. Paris also took the opportunity to reiterate its call for Israel to fully withdraw from all Lebanese territory in accordance with the agreement signed on November 27, 2024. France, which has a large force within UNIFIL, played a leading role in the recent renewal of the peacekeeping force’s mandate and has consistently advocated for a durable peace in the region.
For its part, the Israeli military acknowledged the incident but claimed that its troops had not intentionally targeted the peacekeepers. In a statement to The Jerusalem Post, the IDF said that its forces in the area had identified “suspicious activity” and deployed “stun grenades” to disrupt what they believed was a potential threat. The IDF added that it had contacted UNIFIL to explain the details of the incident and stated that it would never intentionally target UN personnel. However, the UN was quick to counter that the IDF was fully informed of UNIFIL’s presence and mission in the area, suggesting a communication or coordination failure.
This latest incident is not the first time UNIFIL has come under fire. Over the past year, the peacekeeping force has documented more than 4,800 Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty, a number that includes bombings, cross-border fire, and other incursions. UNIFIL’s presence is seen as a crucial buffer between the Israeli army and Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group with a strong presence in the south. However, as the conflict has intensified, so have the threats to UN peacekeepers, raising concerns about their ability to carry out their mission and the safety of their personnel.
Headline Points
* Attack on Peacekeepers: Israeli drones dropped four grenades near a UNIFIL detachment in Southern Lebanon on Tuesday, with one grenade landing just 20 meters from UN personnel.
* French Condemnation: France “strongly condemned” the attack and called for the full protection of UN personnel and premises under international law.
* Calls for Withdrawal: Paris also reiterated its demand for Israel to fully withdraw from Lebanese territory, in line with a recent agreement.
* IDF Acknowledges Incident: The Israeli military acknowledged the event but claimed the grenades were deployed to disrupt “suspicious activity” and that it did not intentionally target the peacekeepers.
* UNIFIL’s Role: The incident highlights the continued importance of the UNIFIL peacekeeping force in the volatile border region, as well as the risks it faces.
