Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli gunfire on diplomatic delegation in West Bank's Jenin
Saudi Arabia on Wednesday condemned the actions of Israeli troops who fired gunshots at a diplomatic delegation that included ambassadors and representatives of Arab and foreign countries in the West Bank.
The delegation was visiting Jenin Camp when the Israeli military began shooting at them, according to several reports.
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'The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's strongest condemnation and denunciation of the gunfire incident carried out by Israeli occupation forces targeting a diplomatic delegation that included ambassadors and representatives of Arab and foreign countries during their visit to Jenin Camp in the occupied West Bank,' the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
The Palestinian Authority accused troops of 'deliberately' shooting at the delegation near the flashpoint city of Jenin. The Israeli military, already under pressure over its tactics in the Gaza war, said it regretted the 'inconvenience.'
AFP footage from Jenin – a frequent target of Israeli military raids – showed the delegation and accompanying journalists running for cover as shots were heard.
A European diplomat said the envoys went to the area to see the destruction caused by Israeli military raids since the Gaza war erupted in October 2023.
The Israeli military said the diplomatic convoy strayed from the approved route and entered a restricted zone.
'The Kingdom called on the international community — particularly the permanent members of the UN Security Council — to immediately put an end to Israeli violations against civilians, diplomatic missions, and humanitarian organizations operating in the occupied Palestinian territories,' SPA reported.
The Israeli military said troops fired 'warning shots' to steer the group away, it said, adding that no one was wounded and expressing regret for the 'inconvenience caused.'
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's spokesman called the incident 'unacceptable.'
'Diplomats who are doing their work should never be shot at, attacked in any way, shape or form. Their safety, their viability, must be respected at all times,' the spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, told reporters.
'These diplomats, including UN personnel, were fired at, warning shots or whatever... which is unacceptable.'
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