The Serbian, who died from wounds sustained Wednesday from mortar fire at his base, is the seventh peacekeeper from the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) killed since Lebanon was drawn into the war in early March.

"The secretary-general again urges all actors to respect the cessation of hostilities announced on 16 April 2026," said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman.

The violence in southern Lebanon has come amid attacks by the pro-Iranian Hezbollah against Israel in retaliation for the Israeli-American offensive against Iran in late February.

"All attacks on peacekeepers must be promptly investigated, and those responsible must be effectively prosecuted and held accountable," Dujarric said, noting that UNIFIL had launched its own investigation.

Based on preliminary observations, "we understand that the position was struck by indirect fire from north of the Litani River," he added.

The Israeli army accused Hezbollah of being behind the attack late Wednesday in Ibl al-Saqi, which also wounded two others.