France Accuses Israel of Breaching UN Rules in Lebanon Strike

France has formally condemned an Israeli military strike that hit near United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. The French foreign ministry stated the incident endangered a patrol from the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). It declared the strike a clear violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. That resolution ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. It demands all armed groups except the Lebanese army and UNIFIL stay south of the Litani River. It also requires full respect for the UN force's safety and freedom of movement. Paris called for an immediate ceasefire to be upheld. The statement emphasized that all parties must avoid any action that could worsen tensions in the region. The Israeli military has not yet commented on the French accusation.