Israeli troops fire ‘warning shots' at foreign diplomats (VIDEOS)
Israeli soldiers fired shots near a group of foreign diplomats visiting the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, prompting representatives from over 20 countries and accompanying journalists to scramble for cover, according to videos from the scene.
The tour, organized by the Palestinian Authority, included delegates from dozens of countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, Mexico, Egypt, and others. No injuries were reported, but video footage showed diplomats fleeing in panic as gunfire erupted around 2pm local time.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed the delegation had deviated from its pre-approved route and entered an unauthorized area, which they described as an 'active combat zone.'
Israeli forces opened fire towards an EU delegation on an approved visit to #Jenin in the #WestBank earlier today.The IDF said they were approaching an area they weren't allowed to be, so 'warning shots' were fired AT EUROPEAN DIPLOMATS. pic.twitter.com/0Y6SHxk73N
'According to an initial inquiry, the delegation deviated from the approved route and entered an area where they were not authorized to be. IDF soldiers operating in the area fired warning shots to distance them,' the IDF said, expressing regret for the 'inconvenience caused.'
Israeli occupation soldiers open fire on a diplomatic delegation during their visit to Jenin refugee camp. pic.twitter.com/yI3MAyXyZZ
The Palestinian Authority's foreign ministry described the shooting as a violation of international law, asserting that the delegation was on an official mission to assess humanitarian conditions amid growing international criticism of Israel's military operations in Gaza and the West Bank.
The israelis shoot at an int'l delegation visiting Jenin: the targeted group includes EU envoys; but.. but.. aren't they your allies @EU_Commissionpic.twitter.com/eTP3FoCUzz
International leaders swiftly condemned the incident. France and Italy summoned Israeli ambassadors for explanations. Ireland's deputy prime minister called the event 'completely unacceptable,' while Canada demanded a full investigation. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also labeled the act of firing near diplomats 'unacceptable' and called for accountability.
The Egyptian foreign ministry said the incident 'violates all diplomatic norms,' while Türkiye's foreign ministry 'strongly condemned' the firing of warning shots at its diplomats.
The Israeli military launched a major operation in the West Bank in January, dubbed 'Iron Wall,' with forces taking control of Jenin and installing metal gates at the entrances to the refugee camp. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated at the time that the goal was to 'eradicate terrorism' in the area, amid Israel's ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant later said that IDF troops would remain in the area indefinitely, declaring that 'the Jenin refugee camp will not be what it was.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Russia Today
4 hours ago
- Russia Today
US terms for nuclear deal ‘out of touch with reality' – Iranian source to RT
The US proposal for a new nuclear agreement with Iran is unacceptable, an Iranian source familiar with the matter told RT. Washington recently outlined its terms in a letter to Iran after five rounds of talks mediated by Oman. 'Iran views the US written elements as extremely far from what could possibly be regarded as a fair and realistic basis for a likely compromise,' the source said. 'Iranians were dismayed to see such a fanciful, one-sided text that is so out of touch with reality,' the source added. The White House said on Sunday that President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, sent 'a detailed and acceptable proposal' to Tehran. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt reiterated Washington's position that 'Iran can never obtain a nuclear bomb.' Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Islamic Republic would provide a response 'in line with the principles, national interests, and rights of the people of Iran.' Trump earlier insisted on a 'total dismantlement' of Iran's nuclear program, suggesting the country should not be allowed to enrich uranium even for civilian purposes. Araghchi rejected these terms, saying the US must lift all sanctions and 'uphold Iran's nuclear rights, including enrichment.' During his first term in office, Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 UN-backed nuclear deal, accusing Iran of secretly violating it. He then reimposed sanctions as part of his 'maximum pressure' campaign. Tehran denied breaching the 2015 deal at the time but has since increased uranium enrichment.
Russia Today
a day ago
- Russia Today
Israel confirms killing new Hamas chief
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has officially confirmed the killing of Hamas leader Muhammad Sinwar during an airstrike conducted earlier this month in the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis. Sinwar took over Hamas after the IDF killed his brother Yahya Sinwar and senior commander Muhammad Deif in announcement comes as both sides reportedly signalled the willingness to accept a US-brokered ceasefire to an IDF statement released on Saturday, the strike was carried out on May 13 in coordination with security service Shin Bet. The army said the target was an underground command center operated by Hamas beneath the European Hospital.'We eliminated the Head of Hamas, again. He happens to be a Sinwar too,' the IDF wrote on X.'The terrorists were eliminated while operating in an underground command and control center, under the European Hospital in Khan Younis, deliberately endangering the civilian population in and around the hospital,' the IDF IDF said Sinwar played a 'significant role in planning and executing the brutal October 7 massacre.' Also killed in the operation were Muhammad Shabana, commander of Hamas's Rafah Brigade, and Mehdi Kuwara, head of the organization's Khan Younis battalion. The IDF identified both as key operatives in the October 7 attack and holding Israeli has neither confirmed nor denied Sinwar's death. The militant group previously denied the accusations of using civilian infrastructure as cover. Gazan health officials said at the time that 28 people were killed in the May 13 strike was reported as Israel stepped up its operations in Gaza, following the collapse of the internationally brokered ceasefire in reports suggest that both Israel and Hamas have agreed in principle to a new ceasefire framework, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained that military operations will continue until Hamas is fully eliminated. Following the hospital strike, he vowed to 'go in with full force to complete the operation and free the remaining hostages.'
Russia Today
a day ago
- Russia Today
Moscow wants to rekindle Russia-India-China format as NATO fuels discord
Moscow is interested in restarting cooperation within the Russia, India, and China (RIC) format as NATO countries try to sow discord between New Delhi and Beijing, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said. Speaking at a Eurasian security conference on Thursday, Lavrov emphasized Russia's 'genuine interest' in reviving the RIC trilateral dialogue, citing recent de-escalation along the India-China border as a timely opportunity. 'Now that, as I understand it, an understanding is being reached between India and China on how to calm the border situation, I believe the time has come to revive the RIC trio,' he stated. China and India have been locked in a military standoff along their disputed Himalayan border, known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC), since a deadly clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020. They have since held multiple rounds of talks to reduce tensions and, while some areas of friction remain, officials from the two countries have recently reported signs of de-escalation and continued military and diplomatic engagement. In his speech, Lavrov also expressed concern about NATO's alleged attempts to involve India in anti-China strategies. 'I have no doubt that our Indian friends – and I say this based on confidential conversations with them – clearly see this provocation,' he said. Lavrov previously stated that Western powers were expecting to 'make our great friends and neighbors India and China clash.' He claimed that this approach was part of a broader agenda to provoke confrontation in the Indo-Pacific and diminish the role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the region. His comments come as India has continued to develop its strategic cooperation with Western countries, including by taking part in joint military exercises and signing defense agreements with the US. New Delhi, however, has refrained from joining any formal alliances. India has also maintained strong relations with Russia despite Western pressure related to the Ukraine conflict. New Delhi has opted not to join Western sanctions against Moscow and has expanded economic cooperation, particularly in the energy sector, becoming one of Russia's largest oil buyers. The countries have set a target of boosting trade to over $100 billion by 2030.
