(MENAFN) The French Foreign Ministry on Monday strongly denounced the latest Israeli strikes targeting a United Nations peacekeeping patrol in southern Lebanon.

"France condemns the Israeli fire that targeted a UNIFIL detachment on October 26, 2025. These incidents follow those observed on October 1, 2, and 11, when the Israeli army had already targeted UNIFIL positions," the ministry said in a statement.

France stressed the urgent need to safeguard peacekeepers, along with the security and protection of UN personnel, property, and facilities, in line with international law and UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

The ministry emphasized that UNIFIL must be able to operate freely and fully carry out its mandate.

"France recalls that respect for the November 26, 2024 ceasefire is binding on all parties without exception, in order to guarantee the safety of civilian populations on both sides of the Blue Line, and calls on Israel to withdraw from the entirety of Lebanese territory," the statement added.

On Sunday, UNIFIL reported that one of its patrols near Kfar Kila came under grenade fire from an Israeli drone, accompanied by tank fire. The mission confirmed no casualties or damage occurred.

The peacekeeping force also said an Israeli drone flew over the same patrol, prompting troops to take defensive action to neutralize the threat.

UNIFIL has maintained a presence in southern Lebanon since 1978 and was substantially reinforced under UN Security Council Resolution 1701 following the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Despite the ceasefire enacted in November 2024, Israel has repeatedly carried out airstrikes in Lebanon, citing operations against Hezbollah infrastructure. Under the truce, Israeli forces were meant to withdraw from southern Lebanon by January 2025, but troops remain at five border positions.

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