https://arab.news/6b7b5
- The Israeli army said it聽鈥渞egrets the inconvenience鈥� caused during the diplomats' visit
- Palestinian Authority released a video of two soldiers aiming rifles at a group of people, condemning the attack
RAMALLAH: Israeli troops fired 鈥渨arning shots鈥� during a visit by foreign diplomats to the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, the military said, drawing condemnation.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged Israel to hold to account those responsible for the shooting near Jenin.
The Palestinian foreign ministry accused Israel of having 鈥渄eliberately targeted by live fire an accredited diplomatic delegation.鈥� A European diplomat said the group had gone to the area 鈥渢o see the destruction鈥� caused by months of Israeli operations.
The Israeli military said 鈥渢he delegation deviated from the approved route,鈥� prompting troops to fire 鈥渨arning shots鈥� to keep them away from 鈥渁n area where they were not authorized to be.鈥�
It said it 鈥渞egrets the inconvenience caused鈥� by the shooting, which resulted in no injuries.
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.
After the warning shots were fired at diplomats, Belgium demanded a 鈥渃onvincing explanation鈥� from Israel, while Spain said it was 鈥渋n contact with other affected countries to jointly coordinate a response to what happened, which we strongly condemn.鈥�
Italy鈥檚 Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani summoned the Israeli ambassador to Rome and said that 鈥渢hreats against diplomats are unacceptable.鈥�
France also said it would summon Israel鈥檚 ambassador, and Germany said Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul would also raise the 鈥渦nprovoked shooting鈥� with his Israeli counterpart.
Egypt said the incident 鈥渧iolates all diplomatic norms," while Turkiye stated that an employee from its consulate in Jerusalem was among the diplomats, demanding an immediate investigation and holding "perpetrators... accountable."
Ahmad Al-Deek, political adviser for the Palestinian foreign ministry who accompanied the delegation, condemned 鈥渢his reckless act by the Israeli army.鈥�
鈥淚t had given the diplomatic delegation an impression of the life the Palestinian people are living,鈥� he said.
Palestinian news agency Wafa reported the delegation included diplomats from more than 20 countries including Britain, China, Egypt, France, Jordan, Turkiye and Russia.
The Palestinian Authority released a video of two soldiers aiming rifles at a group of people, condemning the attack.
It said 鈥渢he heinous crime committed by the Israeli occupation forces, which deliberately targeted by live fire an accredited diplomatic delegation to the State of Palestine during a field visit to Jenin Governorate.鈥�
A diplomat present during the visit confirmed to AFP he had heard 鈥渞epeated shots鈥� coming from inside Jenin refugee camp.