A recent incident in the occupied West Bank has ignited widespread international condemnation. A diplomatic delegation, comprising representatives from the European Union, Arab, and Asian nations, reportedly came under Israeli fire while on an official humanitarian mission to the Jenin refugee camp.
This alarming event, confirmed by the Palestinian Authority and numerous countries, has led to urgent calls for a thorough and transparent investigation.
The delegation was visiting Jenin to assess the dire humanitarian situation, as the Israeli military assault there enters its fourth month, causing significant casualties and displacement. Videos circulating on social media, verified by Al Jazeera's Sanad fact-checking agency, show shocking footage of delegation members giving media interviews when shots are heard, forcing the group to scramble for cover. The footage also depicts two Israeli soldiers nearby, with their rifles pointed in the direction of the diplomats.
The Israeli army acknowledged the incident, stating its soldiers fired "warning shots" to move the delegation away because it had allegedly deviated from a pre-agreed route and entered an unauthorized area. The army emphasized that there were no injuries and expressed "regret for the inconvenience caused." They have stated that an initial investigation has been conducted and that representatives from the affected countries will be updated on the findings.
However, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates swiftly condemned what it termed a "heinous crime committed by the Israeli occupation forces, which deliberately targeted by live fire an accredited diplomatic delegation." This incident, they assert, highlights the perilous reality faced by anyone in the occupied West Bank, where military operations have resulted in extensive sieges and displacement.
Al Jazeera's Hamdah Salhut, reporting from Amman, Jordan, noted the incident vividly demonstrates the on-the-ground conditions, where even diplomatic missions are not immune to the pervasive threat of Israeli fire. The ongoing large-scale Israeli military raids in Jenin, Tulkarem, and surrounding areas in the northern occupied West Bank have led to tens of thousands of Palestinians being forcibly uprooted from their homes.
This latest incident has sparked widespread condemnation from various nations, all demanding a full and impartial inquiry into the events. The targeting of a diplomatic mission, regardless of the circumstances, raises serious concerns about the safety of international personnel and the adherence to diplomatic norms and international law in the region.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/21/eu-arab-diplomats-come-under-israeli-fire-in-occupied-west-banks-jenin