Several nations have voiced anger after Israeli soldiers opened fire near a convoy of foreign diplomats visiting the occupied West Bank, prompting accusations of deliberate targeting from Palestinian officials.
The Palestinian Authority said Israeli forces had “deliberately” fired at the diplomatic group near Jenin, a city frequently subject to Israeli military raids. Israel’s army claimed the shots were merely “warnings” as the convoy had entered a restricted area, expressing “regret for the inconvenience”.
Footage from AFP captured moments of panic, with diplomats and accompanying journalists fleeing for cover amid audible gunfire.
According to a European diplomat, the delegation was there to witness the damage caused by Israeli operations since its invasion of Gaza in October 2023. The convoy reportedly included representatives from over 20 countries, including the UK, France, China, Japan, and Turkey.
The Israeli military stated the diplomats had deviated from their approved route, prompting troops to fire ‘warning shots.’ No injuries were reported.
The incident sparked swift condemnation. UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s spokesperson labelled the shooting “unacceptable,” stressing that diplomats should never be targeted while carrying out official duties.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, called for accountability. Meanwhile, countries including Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Uruguay summoned Israeli ambassadors or pledged to raise the matter directly. Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney branded the shooting “totally unacceptable” and demanded an explanation.
Turkey and Egypt also condemned the act, with Ankara calling for an immediate investigation and accountability.
Ahmad al-Deek, a political adviser to the Palestinian foreign ministry who was with the delegation, described the incident as “reckless,” saying it gave foreign officials “a glimpse into the daily lives of Palestinians.”
Japan confirmed the involvement of its diplomats and formally protested, demanding a thorough explanation and assurances that the situation would not be repeated.
The shooting incident comes against the backdrop of increasing international criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, where severe humanitarian shortages persist due to prolonged restrictions on aid access. Though some relief has trickled in this week, aid groups warn it remains insufficient.
Tensions have escalated as Israel intensifies its bombardment in Gaza, launched in response to the Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, which killed 1,218 people in Israel and resulted in 251 hostages being taken, according to Israeli figures.
Since Israel resumed strikes on Gaza in March, after breaking a ceasefire, the death toll has surged. The Gaza health ministry reports over 53,655 deaths since the war began, most of them civilian women and children.
Global calls for a ceasefire and expanded aid access have grown louder. The EU is reviewing its association agreement with Israel, while the UK has suspended free-trade talks and summoned the Israeli ambassador. Sweden has urged the EU to impose sanctions on Israeli ministers.
Pope Leo XIV added his voice, describing the situation in Gaza as “painful and worrying” and urging immediate humanitarian access.
