UAE condemns Israeli forces' shooting of diplomatic delegation in Jenin
The UAE has strongly condemned the shooting incident that targeted an international diplomatic delegation at the entrance to the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank by Israeli forces.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that this act constitutes a clear violation of international laws, conventions, and norms that guarantee full protection for diplomats and diplomatic missions.
It emphasised that such actions exacerbate the deteriorating situation in the region and hinder international efforts to achieve peace and stability. The Ministry called for an independent and transparent investigation into such violations and for those responsible to be punished.
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The Israeli military said that it fired near a diplomatic delegation which it said deviated from an approved route in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday.
Diplomatic sources said European Union diplomats were part of the delegation.
The military said "the delegation deviated from the approved route and entered an area where they were not authorised to be" and that soldiers fired "warning shots to distance them away."
No injuries or damage were reported, the military said.
The Palestinian Authority's Foreign Ministry said "the delegation was undertaking an official mission to observe and assess the humanitarian situation and document the ongoing violations perpetrated by" Israel. The ministry called the Israeli military's actions a violation of international law.
Footage on Israeli television showed individuals running to vehicles with diplomatic license plates as shots were heard in the distance.
The Israeli military has killed dozens of Palestinians and destroyed many homes in the West Bank since it launched an operation in January in the city of Jenin to root out militants.
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