Second French Peacekeeper Dies After Lebanon Ambush Blamed on Hezbollah

Apr 24, 2026

A second French soldier, Corporal Anicet Girardin, died Wednesday morning from wounds suffered in a Saturday ambush against UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, following the death of French staff sergeant Florian Montorio in the same attack. France has blamed Hezbollah for the ambush, with President Emmanuel Macron attributing the attack to Hezbollah fighters, though the organization has denied responsibility. The deadly incident occurred during a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. Girardin was brought home from Lebanon on Tuesday before succumbing to his injuries.

Fatal ambush on French UN peacekeepers in Lebanon

▪French staff sergeant Florian Montorio was shot dead in the Saturday ambush in Lebanon.
▪French Corporal Anicet Girardin was brought home from Lebanon on Tuesday.
▪French Corporal Anicet Girardin died on Wednesday morning from wounds suffered in the Saturday ambush in Lebanon.
▪A weekend ambush against UN peacekeepers in Lebanon occurred on Saturday.
▪French Corporal Anicet Girardin was badly wounded in the Saturday ambush in Lebanon.

Hezbollah's alleged responsibility and denial

▪The Saturday ambush against UN peacekeepers in Lebanon was blamed on Hezbollah.
▪Hezbollah denied responsibility for the Saturday ambush against UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.
▪French President Emmanuel Macron attributed the wounding of Corporal Anicet Girardin to Hezbollah fighters.

French government response and casualties

▪French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Wednesday that a second French soldier died from wounds suffered in the weekend ambush in Lebanon.
▪French President Emmanuel Macron posted about Corporal Anicet Girardin's death on X.
▪Two French soldiers died as a result of the Saturday ambush against UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.

Perspective of France

▪French President Emmanuel Macron attributed the attack on French peacekeepers to Hezbollah fighters.
▪France blamed Hezbollah for the weekend ambush that killed two French UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.