8 hours ago
Last Updated:May 21, 2025, 22:02 IST
Israeli troops fired towards a delegation of foreign diplomats near the Jenin refugee camp in West Bank, drawing widespread condemnation.
Members of a diplomatic delegation from the European Union leave in a rush after shots were fired near the Jenin camp in West Bank. (AFP)
Israeli troops fired “warning shots" during a visit by foreign diplomats to the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, drawing widespread condemnation amid mounting pressure on Israel over its military offensive in war-battered Gaza Strip.
Delegations from over 20 countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Canada and others, were on an official mission to see the humanitarian situation in the Jenin refugee camp, when the firing began.
According to the Israeli military, the delegation “deviated from the approved route", prompting troops to fire warning shots to keep them away from “an area where they were not authorised to be". Videos from the incident showed Israeli soldiers firing towards the delegation as it backed away from a gate blocking the road, resulting in chaos.
Israeli 🇮🇱 soldiers open fire at a delegation of foreign diplomats, around 30 ambassadors and consuls, visiting Jenin in the West Bank 🇵🇸Israel 🇮🇱 is a pariah nation
They want isolation, give them isolationSanctions nowExpel 🇮🇱 from the UN today.pic.twitter.com/wtoeI4r6VT
— Howard Beckett (@BeckettUnite) May 21, 2025
Israeli soldiers intentionally fired at a delegation of about 30 Arab & EU diplomats, ambassadors and consuls, visiting Jenin refugee camp, in the West Bank. Israel claims “it was an accident" and that they fired “warning shots" because they “felt in danger". Israel was trying to… pic.twitter.com/c1fRK6v2yV— Anonymous (@YourAnonCentral) May 21, 2025
The Israeli military said it “regrets the inconvenience caused" by the shooting, which resulted in no injuries. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged Israel to hold to account those responsible for the shooting.
The Palestinian foreign ministry accused Israel of having “deliberately targeted by live fire an accredited diplomatic delegation" and called it a “deliberate and unlawful act."
The incident came as international pressure intensified over the war in Gaza, where Palestinians were desperate for supplies after a two-month aid blockade was eased. Meanwhile, Israeli strikes continue to pound Gaza on Wednesday, killing at least 82 people.
Israeli Warning Fire Triggers Global Outcry
After the warning shots were fired at diplomats, Belgium demanded a “convincing explanation" from Israel, while Spain said it was “in contact with other affected countries to jointly coordinate a response to what happened, which we strongly condemn".
Additionally, Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani summoned the Israeli ambassador to Rome and said that “threats against diplomats are unacceptable". France said it would also summon Israel’s envoy, and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said he would raise the “unprovoked shooting" with his Israeli counterpart.
Portugal also said it had summoned the Israeli ambassador after the country’s military said they fired warning shots at a diplomatic delegation visiting the occupied West Bank.
Turkey demanded an immediate investigation into the incident, saying, “This attack must be investigated without delay and the perpetrators must be held accountable". It said an employee of the Turkish consulate in Jerusalem was with the group.
Israel is under mounting pressure, including from traditional allies, to halt its intensified offensive and allow aid into Gaza. Kaja Kallas earlier said that a “a strong majority" of foreign ministers from the 27-nation European Union backed the move to review its trade cooperation with Israel.
Gaza’s health ministry said Tuesday at least 3,509 people have been killed since Israel resumed strikes on March 18, taking the war’s overall toll to 53,655.
Location :Jerusalem, Israel
First Published:News world Israeli Troops Fire 'Warning Shots' At Foreign Diplomats In West Bank, Trigger Outcry | Video
