Latest news with #diplomaticdelegation
Khaleej Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
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. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. 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.
Jordan Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Netanyahu says ready for Gaza 'temporary ceasefire'
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM — Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday he was open to a "temporary ceasefire" in Gaza, as international pressure intensified over Israel's renewed offensive and aid blockade in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory. "If there is an option for a temporary ceasefire to free hostages, we'll be ready," Netanyahu said, noting that at least 20 hostages held by Hamas and its allies were still believed to be alive. But he reaffirmed that the Israeli military aimed to bring all of Gaza under its control by the end of its operation. "We must avoid a humanitarian crisis in order to preserve our freedom of operational action," he said. His remarks came hours after Israeli troops fired what the army called "warning shots" near a delegation of foreign diplomats visiting the occupied West Bank, triggering global condemnation and fresh diplomatic tension. The Palestinian foreign ministry accused Israeli forces of "deliberately targeting by live fire an accredited diplomatic delegation" near the flashpoint city of Jenin. A European diplomat said the group had travelled to the area to witness the destruction caused by months of Israeli military raids. The Israeli army said "the delegation deviated from the approved route" and entered a restricted zone. Troops opened fire to steer the group away, it said, adding no injuries were reported and expressing regret for the "inconvenience caused". The incident drew condemnation from Belgium, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, Uruguay and the European Union. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called on Israel to investigate the shots and to hold those responsible "accountable". 'Unbearable' Anger mounted over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Palestinians are scrambling for basic supplies after weeks of near-total isolation. Palestinian rescue teams said overnight Israeli strikes had killed at least 19 people, including a week-old baby. A two-month total blockade was only partially eased this week, with aid allowed into the territory for the first time since March 2, a move leading to critical food and medicine shortages. Israel said 100 trucks with aid entered Gaza on Wednesday through the Kerem Shalom crossing from Israel, following 93 the day before which the United Nations has said had been held up. Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary general, said that as of 1600 GMT Wednesday "none of the supplies have been able to leave the Kerem Shalom loading area" due to security concerns. Humanitarian groups have said that the amount falls far short of what is required to ease the crisis. A US-backed private group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, that will use contractors, said meanwhile that it will start moving aid into the territory in "coming days". The United Nations and traditional agencies have said they will not cooperate with the foundation which some have accused of working with Israel. The GHF has said it will distribute some 300 million meals in its first 90 days of operation. Umm Talal Al Masri, 53, a displaced Palestinian in Gaza City, described the situation as "unbearable". "No one is distributing anything to us. Everyone is waiting for aid, but we haven't received anything," she said. "We're grinding lentils and pasta to make some loaves of bread, and we barely manage to prepare one meal a day." Israel has faced massive pressure, including from traditional allies, to halt its expanded offensive and allow aid into Gaza. European Union foreign ministers agreed on Tuesday to review the bloc's cooperation accordi, which includes trade, with Israel. Israel's foreign ministry has said the EU action "reflects a total misunderstanding of the complex reality Israel is facing". Sweden said it would press the 27-nation bloc to impose sanctions on Israeli ministers, while Britain suspended free-trade negotiations with Israel and summoned the Israeli ambassador. Pope Leo XIV described the situation in Gaza as "worrying and painful" and called for "the entry of sufficient humanitarian aid". Germany defended a key EU-Israel cooperation deal as "an important forum that we must use in order to discuss critical questions" over the situation in Gaza. In Gaza, Israel resumed its operations across the territory on March 18, ending a two-month ceasefire. Gaza's health ministry said Tuesday at least 3,509 people have been killed since Israel resumed strikes on March 18, taking the war's overall toll to 53,655. In neighbouring Lebanon, authorities said Israeli strikes killed three people on Wednesday as Israel said it targeted Hamas's allies Hezbollah in the south -- the latest in a series of attacks despite a ceasefire with the Iran-backed militant group.
Al Arabiya
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
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. For the latest updates on the Israel-Palestine conflict, visit our dedicated page. '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.'
NHK
22-05-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Japan protests Israeli forces firing at diplomatic delegation in West Bank
Japan has strongly protested Israeli soldiers firing what they say were warning shots toward a diplomatic delegation in the occupied West Bank. The incident happened on Wednesday in the West Bank city of Jenin. Japan's Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi said in the Diet on Thursday he understands that no one was injured, and his ministry is currently confirming the facts. He added that Japan has lodged protests through diplomatic channels against the Israeli government and the Israeli military, and is seeking an explanation and steps to prevent a recurrence. Iwaya also said the Israeli side responded that it is well aware of Japan's requests and it regrets what happened. Israel says it is relieved that no one, including Japanese diplomats, was injured. It says there was no information-sharing with the Palestinian side prior to the delegation's visit, and coordination was lacking. Israel also says investigations are ongoing and the results will be shared accordingly.
Malay Mail
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Netanyahu says Israel open to ‘temporary ceasefire' in Gaza amid global pressure, humanitarian crisis
JERUSALEM, May 22 — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday he was open to a 'temporary ceasefire' in Gaza, as international pressure intensified over Israel's renewed offensive and aid blockade in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory. 'If there is an option for a temporary ceasefire to free hostages, we'll be ready,' Netanyahu said, noting that at least 20 hostages held by Hamas and its allies were still believed to be alive. But he reaffirmed that the Israeli military aimed to bring all of Gaza under its control by the end of its operation. 'We must avoid a humanitarian crisis in order to preserve our freedom of operational action,' he said. His remarks came hours after Israeli troops fired what the army called 'warning shots' near a delegation of foreign diplomats visiting the occupied West Bank, triggering global condemnation and fresh diplomatic tension. The Palestinian foreign ministry accused Israeli forces of 'deliberately targeting by live fire an accredited diplomatic delegation' near the flashpoint city of Jenin. A European diplomat said the group had travelled to the area to witness the destruction caused by months of Israeli military raids. The Israeli army said 'the delegation deviated from the approved route' and entered a restricted zone. Troops opened fire to steer the group away, it said, adding no injuries were reported and expressing regret for the 'inconvenience caused'. The incident drew condemnation from Belgium, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, Uruguay and the European Union. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called on Israel to investigate the shots and to hold those responsible 'accountable'. 'Unbearable' Anger mounted over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Palestinians are scrambling for basic supplies after weeks of near-total isolation. Palestinian rescue teams said overnight Israeli strikes had killed at least 19 people, including a week-old baby. A two-month total blockade was only partially eased this week, with aid allowed into the territory for the first time since March 2, a move leading to critical food and medicine shortages. Israel said 100 trucks with aid entered Gaza on Wednesday through the Kerem Shalom crossing from Israel, following 93 the day before which the United Nations has said had been held up. Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary general, said that as of 1600 GMT Wednesday 'none of the supplies have been able to leave the Kerem Shalom loading area' due to security concerns. Humanitarian groups have said that the amount falls far short of what is required to ease the crisis. A US-backed private group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, that will use contractors, said meanwhile that it will start moving aid into the territory in 'coming days'. The United Nations and traditional agencies have said they will not cooperate with the foundation which some have accused of working with Israel. The GHF has said it will distribute some 300 million meals in its first 90 days of operation. Umm Talal al-Masri, 53, a displaced Palestinian in Gaza City, described the situation as 'unbearable'. 'No one is distributing anything to us. Everyone is waiting for aid, but we haven't received anything,' she said. 'We're grinding lentils and pasta to make some loaves of bread, and we barely manage to prepare one meal a day.' Pressure on Israel The army stepped up its offensive at the weekend, vowing to defeat Gaza's Hamas rulers, whose October 7, 2023 attack on Israel triggered the war. Israel has faced massive pressure, including from traditional allies, to halt its expanded offensive and allow aid into Gaza. European Union foreign ministers agreed on Tuesday to review the bloc's cooperation accordi, which includes trade, with Israel. Israel's foreign ministry has said the EU action 'reflects a total misunderstanding of the complex reality Israel is facing'. Sweden said it would press the 27-nation bloc to impose sanctions on Israeli ministers, while Britain suspended free-trade negotiations with Israel and summoned the Israeli ambassador. Pope Leo XIV described the situation in Gaza as 'worrying and painful' and called for 'the entry of sufficient humanitarian aid'. Germany defended a key EU-Israel cooperation deal as 'an important forum that we must use in order to discuss critical questions' over the situation in Gaza. In Gaza, Israel resumed its operations across the territory on March 18, ending a two-month ceasefire. Hamas's October 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Militants also took 251 hostages, 57 of whom remain in Gaza including 34 the military says are dead. Gaza's health ministry said Tuesday at least 3,509 people have been killed since Israel resumed strikes on March 18, taking the war's overall toll to 53,655. In neighbouring Lebanon, authorities said Israeli strikes killed three people yesterday as Israel said it targeted Hamas's allies Hezbollah in the south — the latest in a series of attacks despite a ceasefire with the Iran-backed militant group. — AFP
