The United Nations, on April 19, reported that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres vehemently denounced the attack that resulted in the death of a French peacekeeper affiliated with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Additionally, three other peacekeepers sustained injuries in the assault, as stated by his spokesperson.

"Attacks directed at peacekeepers are unacceptable. They constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and breach Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006), potentially qualifying as war crimes," the spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, emphasized in the statement.

Guterres urged all parties involved to adhere to their responsibilities under international law, guaranteeing the safety of UN personnel, safeguarding UN property and assets, and ensuring UNIFIL's freedom of movement, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

"Every assault on peacekeepers demands immediate investigation, and those accountable must face effective prosecution and accountability," the statement further asserted.

The statement highlighted that an initial assessment by UNIFIL indicated that the peacekeepers were fired upon by non-state actors, believed to be Hezbollah, while they were probing a site where suspected improvised explosive devices were reportedly placed along a road connecting two UN positions within the UNIFIL operational area in southern Lebanon.

This incident marks the third occurrence in recent weeks leading to the fatalities of peacekeepers serving with UNIFIL, happening despite a 10-day ceasefire declared on April 16. The statement called upon all parties to honor the truce and ceasefire.

"The Secretary-General conveys his heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the fallen peacekeeper and extends his sympathies to the Government and citizens of the French Republic. He hopes for the swift recovery of the injured peacekeepers," the statement concluded.

A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon commenced at midnight from Thursday to Friday local time (2100 GMT), following a prior announcement from US President Donald Trump.

However, the Israel Defense Forces asserted in a statement on Saturday that they had targeted militants approaching a designated "Yellow Line," which indicates the northern boundary of the security zone established by Israel in southern Lebanon, within the preceding day.

Additionally, the Israeli army reportedly initiated the construction of a new military facility near the Kfarchouba village in the eastern region of southern Lebanon's border area, as per eyewitness accounts and a Lebanese security source.