UNIFIL announced in a statement that, “One of the two French peacekeepers who was seriously injured in an accident that occurred in southern Lebanon on April 18 died this morning in a Paris hospital. She explained that "Corporal Anicet Girardin, 31 years old, who specializes in dealing with police dogs, was seriously injured when his explosives removal team, affiliated with the French battalion in UNIFIL, was exposed to small arms fire from non-governmental parties while he was clearing a road in Ghandouria to reopen the roads leading to the isolated UNIFIL sites." She pointed out that "among those transported to Paris yesterday was a third peacekeeper, who was also seriously injured and is still receiving treatment." A fourth peacekeeper, who was slightly injured, left the hospital and returned to his base in Deir Kifa. As the family and friends of Corporal Gerardin mourned their loss, UNIFIL offered its “deepest condolences on this unfortunate tragedy that could have been avoided.” It confirmed that it had "launched an investigation to determine the circumstances of this tragic incident, and urged the government of Lebanon to expedite the completion of its own investigation to identify the perpetrators of crimes committed against peacekeeping forces and hold them accountable." She reminded "all parties once again of their obligations under international law to ensure the safety and security of United Nations personnel and property at all times," stressing that "deliberate attacks on peacekeeping forces constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and Security Council Resolution 1701, and may amount to war crimes."