At least two French UNIFIL soldiers have died in southern Lebanon, according to French President Emmanuel Macron. Florian Montorio was killed in an ambush, and Corporal Anicet Girardin later died from wounds suffered in the same attack. Three other French soldiers were wounded. Macron stated that all evidence points to Hezbollah being responsible for Montorio's death, but Hezbollah has denied responsibility. In a separate incident, a French peacekeeper was killed and three wounded when a UN patrol came under small-arms fire in Ghanduriyah, which UNIFIL described as deliberate.
Three Indonesian UNIFIL peacekeepers were killed in two separate incidents, according to UNIFIL. Two died when an explosion of unknown origin destroyed their vehicle near Bani Hayyan, and one was killed when a projectile exploded near a UNIFIL position near Adchit al-Qusayr. The exact cause of the explosion that killed the two peacekeepers near Bani Hayyan remains unknown.
On 6 March, Israeli tank fire struck a UNIFIL position in southern Lebanon, injuring Ghanaian peacekeepers. Israel's military acknowledged responsibility, stating it mistakenly targeted UNIFIL troops while responding to Hezbollah anti-tank fire. A Western military source said a preliminary UNIFIL investigation indicated three strikes at al-Qawzah base were direct hits from an Israeli tank using 120-mm M339 HE-MP-T shells. The number of wounded Ghanaian peacekeepers is disputed: UNIFIL initially said three were injured, Ghana's military reported two critically injured and one traumatised, while the Ghana Armed Forces later said four soldiers were injured—three with minor injuries and one critically. The critically injured soldier has successfully undergone surgery and is responding well to treatment, and all four are now in stable condition. The attack caused significant damage to the battalion's facilities, with the accommodation of 14 officers completely destroyed by fire. The affected officers have since been re-kitted and re-accommodated. The Ghanaian contingent remains resilient and committed to its peacekeeping duties, with morale high, according to the Ghana Armed Forces.
A UN peacekeeping base near the village of Mais al-Jabal in southern Lebanon also came under fire, sparking a blaze that wounded one peacekeeper, according to UNIFIL spokeswoman Kandice Ardiel. UNIFIL is investigating the incident. Ardiel described the situation in South Lebanon as precarious and volatile for peacekeepers and civilians.
UNIFIL was established in 1978 following Israel's invasion of southern Lebanon. Its mandate was significantly expanded after the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah under UN Security Council Resolution 1701. More than 10,000 peacekeepers are currently deployed as part of UNIFIL. The UN Security Council has voted to terminate UNIFIL at the end of 2026, with withdrawal by 2027.
Israel has killed more than 4,000 people and wounded around 17,000 during its aggression in Lebanon that began in October 2023 and escalated into a full-scale war in September 2024, according to research from multiple sources. A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah was reached in November 2024, but Israel has continued near-daily strikes.
International condemnation has been swift. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned Israeli attacks on Lebanon, including the assault on UNIFIL, and said those responsible for the attack on French peacekeepers would be brought to justice. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the unacceptable attack on UNIFIL and said France is working to prevent the conflict from spreading. Austria's Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner condemned any actions endangering UNIFIL troops and said protection of Austrian soldiers is a top priority; 176 Austrian soldiers are stationed with UNIFIL. Indonesia condemned the attacks on its peacekeepers and called for a thorough investigation. India joined Indonesia in condemning the attack on peacekeepers. Ghana protested the attack on its peacekeepers at the UN.
Responsibility for the attack on French peacekeepers remains disputed. Macron stated that all evidence points to Hezbollah, but Hezbollah denies responsibility. The location of the attack on Ghanaian peacekeepers is also unclear: Lebanon's National News Agency reported a strike on a UNIFIL site in Qouzah in the Bint Jbeil district, while UNIFIL mentioned a base near Mais al-Jabal. The discrepancy may indicate multiple attacks or confusion about the exact site.
In other incidents, a fire alarm at Strawberry arena in Solna was caused by a possible coolant leak from a cooling unit, according to rescue services. SMHI issued warnings for grass fires in large parts of Svealand and snow-free parts of Norrland and Gotland. A smoke alarm at Skärholmen Centrum shopping centre led to evacuation with no injuries reported. Russia's Minister of Economic Development said companies can no longer count on the same level of support due to the tougher economic situation.
At least two merchant ships were fired upon while attempting to sail through the Strait of Hormuz, according to sources for Reuters. Iran announced it had closed the Strait of Hormuz again and imposed strict military control due to the US not lifting its blockade.
Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon are safe and accounted for, according to Taoiseach Micheal Martin. Irish soldiers helped evacuate wounded Ghanaian peacekeepers after the attack on their base, the Irish Defence Forces said. A Polish UNIFIL soldier sustained minor injuries after a roadside device detonated during a patrol, according to UNIFIL.
Residents of Alma al Shaab village were evacuated by UN peacekeepers after Israeli bombardment, according to Sky News. A villager named Sami Ghafari was killed by an Israeli missile while watering his garden, residents said. According to Sky News, the mayor of Alma al Shaab, Shady Saayah, described that UNIFIL told them they could not protect the villagers.