Jenin, West Financial institution — A number of nations which have backed Israel throughout its conflict in opposition to Hamas within the Gaza Strip voiced outrage Wednesday after Israeli troops fired what they referred to as “warning shots” as overseas diplomats visited the occupied West Financial institution.
The Palestinian Authority, which partially administers the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory, accused Israeli troops of “deliberately” capturing on the delegation close to the flashpoint metropolis of Jenin. The Israeli navy, already beneath strain over its ways within the Gaza conflict, stated it regretted the “inconvenience.”
AFP video from Jenin — a frequent goal of Israeli navy raids — confirmed the delegation and accompanying journalists working for canopy as photographs have been heard on Wednesday.
A body seize from AFPTV video reveals members of a diplomatic delegation from the European Union and elsewhere reacting after photographs have been fired as they gathered on the japanese entrance of the Jenin camp, throughout a go to to town of Jenin, within the Israeli-occupied West Financial institution, Might 21, 2025, amid an ongoing Israeli navy offensive.
MOHAMMAD ATEEQ/AFPTV/AFP/Getty
A European diplomat stated the envoys went to the world to see the destruction induced within the West Financial institution by Israeli navy raids throughout the Gaza conflict, which was sparked by the Hamas-led, Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist assault.
The Israel Protection Forces stated the diplomatic convoy had strayed from the accredited route and entered a restricted zone, prompting troops to fireside “warning shots” to steer the group away. The IDF added that nobody was wounded and it expressed remorse for the “inconvenience caused.”
U.N. Secretary-Basic Antonio Guterres’ spokesman referred to as the incident “unacceptable.”
“Diplomats who are doing their work should never be shot at, attacked in any way, shape or form. Their safety, their viability, must be respected at all times,” spokesman Stephane Dujarric advised reporters. “These diplomats, including U.N. personnel, were fired at, warning shots or whatever… which is unacceptable.”
Calls for for rationalization over Israel’s “unacceptable” actions
A number of nations that had representatives within the group voiced outrage and demanded an investigation.
“We call on Israel to investigate this incident and also hold those accountable who are responsible for any threats to diplomats’ lives,” stated European Union overseas coverage chief Kaja Kallas.
Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Uruguay summoned Israel’s ambassadors or stated they’d increase the problem instantly.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney referred to as the incident “totally unacceptable” and pressed for an “immediate explanation.”
Carney added that Canada’s International Minister Anita Anand has summoned Israel’s ambassador to Ottawa.
Members of a world diplomatic delegation collect by a gate on the japanese entrance of the Jenin camp throughout a go to to town of Jenin, Might 21, 2025, amid an ongoing Israeli navy offensive within the occupied West Financial institution.
MOHAMMAD MANSOUR/AFP/Getty
Egypt denounced the capturing as a breach of “all diplomatic norms,” whereas Turkey demanded a right away investigation.
Turkey’s overseas ministry stated: “This attack must be investigated without delay and the perpetrators must be held accountable.”
Ahmad al-Deek, political adviser for the Palestinian overseas ministry who accompanied the delegation, condemned what he referred to as a “reckless act by the Israeli army.”
“It has given the diplomatic delegation an impression of the life the Palestinian people are living,” he stated.
Britain’s minister for the Center East and North Africa, Hamish Falconer, stated Wednesday that he’d spoken instantly with U.Ok. diplomats affected by the incident, and he referred to as for an investigation.
“Today’s events in Jenin are unacceptable. I have spoken to our diplomats who were affected,” he stated in a social media put up. “Civilians must always be protected, and diplomats allowed to do their jobs. There must be a full investigation and those responsible should be held accountable.”
“The Japanese government has protested to the Israeli side and requested an explanation and the prevention of a recurrence,” authorities spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi stated in Tokyo, confirming that diplomatic employees from the nation had taken half within the delegation.
Israel-Europe ties more and more strained over Gaza, D.C. murders
The incident got here as anger mounted over the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, the place Palestinians are scrambling for fundamental provides after weeks of near-total isolation. A two-month Israeli assist blockade on Gaza was partially eased this week, however not sufficient to alleviate the starvation disaster going through the enclave’s roughly 2 million inhabitants, based on the U.N. and humanitarian companies.
Israel stepped up its navy offensive over the weekend, vowing to defeat Gaza’s Hamas rulers, whose October 2023 assault on Israel triggered the conflict.
Israel has confronted huge strain, together with from its allies, to halt its intensified offensive and permit assist into Gaza. European Union overseas ministers on Tuesday ordered a evaluate of the EU cooperation accord with Israel.
Sweden stated it will press the EU to impose sanctions on Israeli ministers, whereas Britain suspended free-trade negotiations with Israel and summoned the Israeli ambassador.
Pope Leo XIV described the scenario in Gaza as “worrying and painful” and referred to as for “the entry of sufficient humanitarian aid.”
Palestinians, battling starvation as a result of an Israeli blockade, wait in line to obtain sizzling meals distributed by charity organizations in Jabalia Refugee Camp, in Gaza Metropolis, Gaza, Might 17, 2025.
Mahmoud ssa/Anadolu/Getty
Israel’s ties with Europe have been examined additional on Thursday as Israeli International Minister Gideon Sa’ar blamed what he referred to as antisemitic and anti-Israel incitement “by leaders and officials of many countries and international organizations, especially from Europe,” for the homicide of two Israel Embassy employees members in Washington D.C. the earlier night time.
A suspect recognized as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago was taken into custody, and heard shouting, “Free, free Palestine” as he was led away, after the assault outdoors the Capital Jewish Museum.
Hamas’s 2023 assault resulted within the deaths of 1,218 individuals in Israel, largely civilians, based on an AFP tally primarily based on official figures.
Militants additionally took 251 hostages, 57 of whom stay in Gaza together with 34 the navy says are useless.
Gaza’s Hamas-run well being ministry stated not less than 3,509 individuals have been killed since Israel ended a ceasefire and resumed strikes on March 18, taking the conflict’s general toll to 53,655.
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