A wave of strong international condemnation has followed gunfire from the Israeli army directed at a group of foreign diplomats visiting Jenin, located in the occupied West Bank. This incident arises amidst escalating global scrutiny of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
EU: “Any Threat to Diplomats’ Lives Is Unacceptable”
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, labeled the attack as “unacceptable.” From Brussels, she urged Israel to conduct an inquiry into the incident and ensure accountability for those involved.
Italy
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned the incident on X (formerly Twitter), noting that an Italian diplomat was part of the group. He called for immediate clarification and summoned the Israeli ambassador in Rome for an explanation.
Spain
Spain’s Foreign Ministry issued a strong condemnation of the Israeli military’s actions, confirming the presence of a Spanish diplomat who is reported unharmed. Spain is collaborating with other nations to formulate a joint response.
Belgium
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot demanded “convincing explanations,” highlighting that warning shots were fired towards approximately 20 diplomats, including one from Belgium. He pointed out that the diplomats were on an official visit, coordinating their plans with the Israeli military, and traveling in a clearly marked convoy consisting of about 20 vehicles.
France
France announced plans to summon the Israeli ambassador after labeling the gunfire “unacceptable.” A French diplomat was in the delegation, and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated on X that the diplomats had come under fire from Israeli soldiers, reaffirming complete support for France’s representatives in the region.
Western Official: “This Is a Serious Incident”
A Western diplomatic official part of the delegation characterized the shooting as “a serious incident that we will respond to appropriately.” The Israeli military expressed “regret for the inconvenience” and claimed the delegation had veered off the approved route into a restricted area. They stated that warning shots were fired to deter the group.
Palestinian Authority Accuses Israeli Army of Using Live Ammunition
The Palestinian Authority, which organized the visit, accused Israeli soldiers of firing live rounds at the diplomats. According to reports from diplomatic sources and the Palestinian news agency WAFA, diplomats from countries including China, Turkey, Canada, Japan, Mexico, and several European nations—such as France, the UK, and Spain—were present.
A video released by the Palestinian Foreign Ministry shows numerous individuals, including photographers, near a military checkpoint in Jenin. Two Israeli soldiers can be seen pointing their weapons at the group, followed by the sound of gunfire, after which the diplomats are shown fleeing back to their vehicles.
Violation of International Law
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned the shooting as a “flagrant and serious violation of international law” committed by Israeli forces.
No Injuries Reported
According to The Times of Israel, Israeli soldiers fired in the air from within the Jenin refugee camp, and there were no reported injuries.
An anonymous diplomat told AFP, “It was at the end of our visit when we suddenly heard gunfire from the refugee camp. It wasn’t just a few shots—it was sustained bursts. It was chaotic. This isn’t normal.”
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