French Peacekeeper Anicet Girardin Dies from Hezbollah Ambush Wounds in Lebanon

Corporal Anicet Girardin, a French soldier serving with UN peacekeeping forces in Lebanon, died on Wednesday from injuries sustained during a weekend ambush attributed to Hezbollah. President Emmanuel Macron announced the death on social media, noting Girardin had been evacuated from Lebanon after being seriously wounded. The attack occurred on Saturday when Hezbollah fighters opened fire at close range on French peacekeepers clearing a booby-trapped route with an improvised explosive device. Girardin was attempting to aid his section leader, Staff Sergeant Florian Montorio, who was killed in the same incident. Three soldiers were injured during the confrontation, which Hezbollah has denied responsibility for. Girardin served in a specialized dog-handling unit as part of France's military contribution to UN operations in Lebanon. This marks the third French soldier death since hostilities began in the Middle East region. Armies Minister Catherine Vautrin detailed the circumstances of the ambush in her own social media post.