India joined France and the United Nations on Saturday (April 18, 2026) to strongly condemn an attack on French peacekeepers in Lebanon, asking the Lebanese government to bring the perpetrators, suspected to be Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah, to justice at the earliest.
French peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) came under small arms fire, reportedly from non-state actors, when their patrol party was clearing explosives on a road in Ghanduriyah village to reestablish links with isolated UNIFIL positions.
“Tragically, one peacekeeper succumbed to his injuries and three others were injured, two of them seriously. The injured peacekeepers have been taken to medical facilities for treatment,” UNIFIL said in a statement.
Condemning the attack on peacekeepers, the UNIFIL said that the work of explosive ordnance disposal teams is vital in the mission’s area of operations, especially in the wake of the recent hostilities.
UNIFIL has launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. Initial assessment indicates the fire came from non-state actors (allegedly Hezbollah), the statement said.
The UN peacekeeping mission asked Lebanon to swiftly probe the incident, identify the group responsible for the attacks on peacekeepers, and hold them accountable for the crimes committed.
Expressing condolences to the families of peacekeepers and to the French government, India underscored its long-standing role as a leading contributor to UN peacekeeping and its commitment to the safety of those serving under the UN.
“We strongly condemn the attack that took place today on French UN Peacekeepers deployed in UNIFIL. We pay our homage to the fallen Blue Helmet and wish a speedy recovery to the three other peacekeepers who were injured,” the Ministry of External Affairs said.
India urged the Lebanese government to launch an urgent investigation into the assault. The statement explicitly calls for the perpetrators to be identified and brought to justice without delay.
“India had piloted UN Security Council Resolution 2589 on Accountability for Crimes against Peacekeepers. We urge the government of Lebanon to urgently investigate this attack, bring its perpetrators to justice, and ensure accountability for this crime against UN Peacekeepers,” the statement said.
“India reiterates the importance of respecting the sanctity and inviolability of UN premises and personnel and urges all parties to ensure the safety and security of Peacekeepers who are deployed pursuant to UN Security Council mandates,” it added.
Meanwhile, in New York, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also joined the world in the strongest condemnation of the attack on the French peacekeepers.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the fallen peacekeeper, and wish a full and fast recovery to the injured peacekeepers,” Guterres said.
“This is the third incident in recent weeks to have resulted in the deaths of peacekeepers serving in Lebanon,” he said, calling for an immediate halt to such attacks.