Doha denounced a UNIFIL attack that killed a French soldier in southern Lebanon and called for an urgent investigation.

Qatar has condemned an attack on United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon that left a French soldier dead and several others wounded.

In a statement, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the incident targeting the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) as a serious violation of international humanitarian law and UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

The ministry reiterated Qatar’s rejection of attacks on peacekeeping forces and called for a prompt investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible.

It also extended condolences to France and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

The soldier killed was identified by French officials as Staff Sergeant Florian Montorio, who died after his unit came under fire at close range near the village of Ghanduriyah. Three other peacekeepers were wounded in the attack.

France’s armed forces minister, Catherine Vautrin, said the patrol had been en route to a UNIFIL outpost that had been cut off by fighting in the area.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the attack bore the hallmarks of the armed group Hezbollah, urging Lebanese authorities to arrest those responsible in a post on X.

Hezbollah denied any involvement, stating that it was not connected to the incident and calling for restraint pending the outcome of an investigation by the Lebanese army.

UNIFIL said its peacekeepers were targeted by small-arms fire from non-state actors while clearing a route to the outpost.

The force said it had opened an investigation into the incident.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam both condemned the attack and said an investigation was underway.

Macron also held calls with Lebanese officials, urging them to ensure the safety of UN personnel.

The attack comes shortly after Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire to allow for talks aimed at ending weeks of cross-border fighting. Despite the agreement, Israeli forces have continued military activities in the southern border villages.