Jenin, Occupied West Bank – A diplomatic incident in the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Jenin has sparked widespread international condemnation after Israeli troops fired "warning shots" in the vicinity of a foreign delegation. The incident, while resulting in no injuries, has prompted several nations to summon Israeli ambassadors for explanations.
The Israeli military acknowledged the shots were fired to "distance" the group, claiming the diplomats had "deviated from the approved route" and entered an unauthorized "active combat zone." The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) expressed "regret for the inconvenience caused" and stated an internal investigation is underway, with promises to update the involved countries on its findings.
However, the Palestinian Authority (PA), which organized the visit, vehemently condemned the Israeli military's actions, calling it a "heinous crime" and accusing security forces of deliberately targeting the delegation. The PA asserted that the group of around 20 regional, European, and Western nations – including Spain, Egypt, France, Turkey, and Italy – was on an official visit to "observe and assess the humanitarian situation and document the ongoing violations perpetrated by the [Israeli] occupying forces against the Palestinian people."
The incident has triggered a wave of diplomatic protests. Spain, Italy, and France are among the nations that have announced they will summon their Israeli ambassadors to clarify what transpired. The EU's foreign policy chief emphasized that "any threats on diplomats' lives are unacceptable" and called for accountability. Egypt and Turkey also condemned the firing of shots, with Egypt stating it "violates all diplomatic norms" and Turkey calling it "yet another demonstration of Israel's systematic disregard for international law and human rights." Both nations have demanded immediate investigations and explanations from Israel.
A European diplomat present at the scene confirmed the group's intention was to "see the destruction" resulting from months of intensified Israeli military operations in Jenin, a city known as a stronghold of Palestinian armed groups. This incident comes amidst a surge in violence across the West Bank, where hundreds of Palestinians and dozens of Israelis have been killed since the Gaza war began on October 7, 2023.
The legality of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which house some 700,000 Jews, remains a contentious issue. The vast majority of the international community, supported by an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last year, considers these settlements illegal under international law, a position Israel disputes.
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