On Saturday, April 18, 2026, in southern Lebanon, a French soldier was killed and three others were wounded in shelling. Three vehicles belonging to the Polish Military Contingent (PKW) of UNIFIL were also lightly damaged.
Photo: Ministry for the Armed Forces and Veterans of France
The fallen soldier was Staff Sergeant Florian Montorio of the 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment (17e Régiment de Génie Parachutiste, 17e RGP), based in Montauban, in the Occitanie region, in the Tarn-et-Garonne department. Three other soldiers were wounded and evacuated.
At 10:20 a.m. Paris time, during a route reconnaissance mission conducted by French soldiers serving with the UNIFIL UN mission to resupply an isolated peacekeeping post, the patrol was attacked by an armed group.
In accordance with the UN rules of engagement, the French soldiers returned fire to halt the attack and engage the assailants. Staff Sergeant Florian Montorio and three other soldiers were wounded.
The soldiers were immediately given medical assistance by their comrades-in-arms and the medical team present at the scene. Staff Sgt. Florian Montorio was evacuated to the Dayr Kifa camp, where he died from his injuries. Since January 20 this year, he had been serving a four-month tour of duty with the French battalion as part of the UNIFIL force stationed in Dayr Kifa.
French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to his memory, to his wounded comrades-in-arms, and to all soldiers serving in Lebanon. He said that the nation honors them and stands with the families of the French soldiers, as well as with all personnel working for peace in Lebanon. He added that Hezbollah was likely behind the attack and called on the Lebanese authorities to arrest those responsible immediately and hold them accountable.
Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans Catherine Vautrin also paid tribute to the fallen soldier, describing Staff Sergeant Florian Montorio as an experienced NCO who had already taken part in several missions, and whose career, character, and courage commanded respect and admiration. She said France was honoring the memory of one of its sons who had given his life for the country.
Condolences were also offered by the Chief of the Defence Staff, Gen. Fabien Mandon.
Biography
Florian Montorio was born on October 18, 1986, in Montauban, and joined the French Army (Armée de terre) on October 2, 2007, at the age of 21. He enlisted as a private in the 21st Marine Infantry Regiment in Fréjus and was promoted to corporal on November 1, 2009.
Fascinated by the combat engineer profession, he joined the 31st Engineer Regiment in Castelsarrasin on July 1, 2011. On April 1, 2012, he was promoted to senior corporal. On July 11, 2018, he joined the 6th Marine Infantry Battalion in Gabon. On October 3, 2018, he was promoted to senior corporal 3rd class. Having volunteered for airborne troops, he joined the 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment in Montauban on July 17, 2021, and entered the NCO corps on August 1, 2021.
He subsequently served as a squad leader and later as an assistant NCO before being promoted to staff sergeant on December 1, 2024. An outstanding soldier, recognized for his physical and intellectual qualities, Staff Sergeant Montorio stood out for his exemplary composure and exceptional leadership skills. A rigorous and versatile NCO, he made it a point of honor to pass on his knowledge and skills to younger soldiers. Motivated by an impeccable sense of duty, and respected as a man of the field, he enjoyed the full confidence of his superiors and the esteem of his soldiers.
During 19 years of service, Staff Sergeant Montorio took part in numerous missions and operations, both at home and overseas. He served, among other places, in Senegal in 2008 and 2009, Afghanistan in 2010, New Caledonia in 2012, Côte d’Ivoire in 2013, Mali in 2017, Iraq in 2017, Niger in 2022, and French Guiana in 2024. In each of these missions, he distinguished himself through his professionalism and sense of duty. In 2010, while serving in Afghanistan, he was particularly commended for his exemplary care of a wounded comrade. This action was recognized by a citation in brigade orders, accompanied by the award of the Cross for Military Valor.
Staff Sergeant Montorio had been deployed under Operation Daman since January 20 as an assistant NCO in a combat engineer section within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Staff Sergeant Florian Montorio, who died at the age of 40, was a husband and father of two children. He died for France while carrying out his mission.
The Polish Armed Forces Operational Command (DO RSZ) also issued a statement:
“We inform that on Saturday, April 18 this year, during a convoy operation between bases conducted by soldiers of the Polish Military Contingent UNIFIL, an incident occurred in the area of operations. A mortar round landed in the immediate vicinity of the convoy.
None of the soldiers of the Polish Military Contingent UNIFIL sustained injuries. As a result of the incident, light damage was recorded to three vehicles belonging to the contingent.
In connection with the incident, additional precautionary measures were implemented, and convoy operations were temporarily suspended.
The security situation in the area of operations is being monitored on an ongoing basis. All activities are being conducted in close coordination with the command of the UN mission and partners.
We pay tribute to the French soldier who was killed today while carrying out tasks in the area of operations.
The safety of the soldiers and personnel of Polish Military Contingents remains the highest priority of the Armed Forces Operational Commander.”
À notre frère d’armes. Toute l’armée de Terre salue son engagement 🫡🇫🇷 https://t.co/NYSwzIwapp pic.twitter.com/IukFkMkMMk
— Armée de Terre (@armeedeTerre) April 18, 2026
Le sergent-chef Florian Montorio du 17e régiment du génie parachutiste est mort pour la France dans la région de Deir-Kifa au Liban.
Depuis 18 ans, il s’était engagé avec force et détermination à servir son pays, à défendre la paix, à lutter contre le terrorisme, à protéger ses… https://t.co/eWH4kfXjC8— Catherine Vautrin (@CaVautrin) April 18, 2026
Informujemy, że w sobotę, 18 kwietnia br., podczas realizacji konwoju pomiędzy bazami przez żołnierzy Polskiego Kontyngentu Wojskowego UNIFIL doszło do incydentu w rejonie operacji. W bezpośredniej bliskości konwoju spadł pocisk moździerzowy.
Żaden z żołnierzy Polskiego… pic.twitter.com/6Ww1js6IVq
— Dowództwo Operacyjne RSZ (@DowOperSZ) April 18, 2026
Dziś w Libanie, w wyniku ataku na siły UNIFIL, zginął francuski żołnierz, starszy sierżant Florian Montorio z 17. Pułku Inżynierów Spadochronowych w Montauban. Nasze myśli i modlitwy są z Rodziną i bliskimi zabitego żołnierza.
Cześć Jego Pamięci! 🇵🇱🇫🇷— Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (@KosiniakKamysz) April 18, 2026
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