The attack targeted a unit serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon as it was traveling to an outpost isolated by ongoing hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, according to UN officials.

In a statement, Security Council members denounced the assault “in the strongest terms” and reaffirmed their full support for UNIFIL operations in the region. The council did not assign responsibility, though France has blamed Hezbollah for the attack.

The incident occurred on Saturday amid heightened tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border, where clashes have intensified in recent weeks. UNIFIL peacekeepers are mandated to monitor hostilities and support stability in southern Lebanon.

French authorities have not released further operational details about the ambush, while the United Nations has called for accountability and the protection of peacekeeping personnel under international law.

The attack underscores growing risks faced by UN forces operating in volatile regions conflict zones, as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent further escalation in Lebanon.

The criticism followed the death of Ali Shoeib, a correspondent for the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar television channel, who was among three journalists killed in an Israeli strike in Lebanon on March 28.The Israeli military had posted an image on social media platform X showing Shoeib wearing a press vest, partially overlaid with an edited version portraying him in a Hezbollah uniform, accompanied by the caption suggesting the vest was used as cover.

A subsequent post by military spokesman Nadav Shoshani included what he described as an unedited image of Shoeib in fatigues near a tank, while acknowledging that the earlier image had been altered.

The Foreign Press Association, which represents international media in Israel and the Palestinian territories, said the military had circulated a “fake” image in an effort to undermine the journalist’s credibility.

Shoeib had reported on political and military developments in Lebanon for decades. The association also noted that more than 200 Palestinian journalists have been killed since October 2023 in Israeli strikes.

The Israeli military has not issued further comment beyond the statements posted on social media.