Latest news with #diplomaticincident
Russia Today
a day ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
EU nation's consul injured in Iranian strikes on Israel
Croatia's consul in Israel and his wife were injured during Iran's ballistic missile strikes on Tel Aviv, Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman has said. The minister confirmed the incident in a post on X, stating that the injuries sustained by the diplomat and his spouse were 'minor, and they are not in any life-threatening condition.' 'I am shaken by the news that our consul and his wife were injured in the attack on Tel Aviv. The building they live in was hit,' Grlic Radman wrote. 'We strongly condemn attacks on civilians and diplomatic facilities. We call for immediate de-escalation and restraint,' the minister added. Israel launched a major attack on Iran early on Friday, striking nuclear facilities and military installations across the country. Multiple senior Iranian military officers and high-profile nuclear scientists were killed in targeted assassinations. According to official Iranian estimates, at least 78 people perished in the Israeli strikes, and over 300 were injured. West Jerusalem has claimed the attack, dubbed Operation Rising Lion, was a preemptive measure aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear bomb. Iran, however, has repeatedly denied harboring any plans to produce such a device and insisted its nuclear program serves only civilian purposes. Tehran retaliated with a major ballistic missile and kamikaze drone barrage fired at Israel, pledging to continue strikes for as long as it deems necessary. According to Israel, the strikes inflicted considerable material damage, killing at least three and leaving more than 150 injured. The escalation comes after five rounds of US-Iranian talks on the country's nuclear program that have stalled and failed to produce any breakthrough. Following the attack, Tehran said the continuation of dialogue with the US was 'meaningless,' while the host country, Oman, confirmed that the sixth round of talks, originally scheduled for Sunday, had been called off.
Malay Mail
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Diplomats scramble for cover as Israeli troops fire warning shots in West Bank, triggering international outrage
JENIN (Palestinian Territories), May 22 — Several nations that have backed Israel voiced outrage yesterday after Israeli troops fired what they called 'warning shots' as foreign diplomats visited the occupied West Bank. 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 diplomats 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. Troops fired 'warning shots' to steer the group away, it said, adding that no one was injured 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.' Members of a diplomatic delegation from the European Union leave in a rush after shots were fired as they gathered at the eastern entrance of Jenin camp during a visit to the city of Jenin, on May 21, 2025, amid an ongoing Israeli military offensive in the occupied West Bank. — AFP pic Countries condemn shooting Several countries that had representatives in the group voiced outrage and demanded an investigation. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged Israel to hold those responsible 'accountable'. Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Uruguay summoned Israel's ambassadors or said they would raise the issue directly. Egypt denounced the shooting as a breach of 'all diplomatic norms', while Turkiye demanded an immediate investigation. Turkiye's foreign ministry said: 'This attack must be investigated without delay and the perpetrators must be held accountable.' Ahmad al-Deek, political adviser for the Palestinian foreign ministry who accompanied the delegation, condemned 'this reckless act by the Israeli army'. 'It has given the diplomatic delegation an impression of the life the Palestinian people are living,' he said. Palestinian news agency Wafa reported the delegation included diplomats from more than 20 countries including Britain, China, Egypt, France, Jordan, Turkiye and Russia. Palestinians gather to receive a hot meal at a food distribution point in the Nuseirat camp for refugees in the central Gaza Strip on May 21, 2025. — AFP pic 'Unbearable' Gaza plight The incident came as anger mounted over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Palestinians are scrambling for basic supplies after weeks of near-total isolation. A two-month Israeli aid blockade on Gaza has been partially eased this week. Israel stepped up its military 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 its allies, to halt its intensified offensive and allow aid into Gaza. European Union foreign ministers on Tuesday ordered a review of the EU cooperation accord with Israel. Sweden said it would press the EU 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'. Hamas's 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. — AFP
CBC
21-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Anand says she'll summon Israeli ambassador after IDF fired shots near 4 Canadians
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says she'll relay Canada's "serious concerns" to Israel's ambassador after members of the Israeli army fired shots at a diplomatic delegation, that included Canadians, in the West Bank on Wednesday. In a social media post the new minister confirmed four Canadians were part of a tour in the city of Jenin when members of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) fired in their vicinity. "Relieved to know our team is safe," Anand wrote after speaking with Canada's head of mission in Ramallah. "I have asked my officials to summon Israel's ambassador to convey Canada's serious concerns. We expect a full investigation and accountability." In a statement the IDF said the tour group, which also included representatives from other countries, "deviated" from the approved route and soldiers fired warning shots to get the delegation to move. The IDF said it "regrets the inconvenience caused." Anand joins other foreign ministers condemning the incident. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Mark Carney joined British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron in threatening to impose sanctions on Israel in response to its "denial of essential humanitarian assistance" in Gaza. "The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable," said the three leaders. The joint statement also said the leaders opposed "any attempt" to expand Israeli settlement in the West Bank. Netanyahu condemns Carney and other leaders The Western leaders' letter followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying his country would control Gaza despite mounting international pressure to lift a blockade on aid supplies that left the enclave on the brink of famine. Netanyahu condemned the joint statement in a social media post and called it "a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7," referring to Hamas's attack against Israel in 2023 which ignited the war in Gaza Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre also took aim at Carney's comments. "The Hamas terrorists have just thanked Mark Carney for his recent statement on Israel," he posted online Tuesday. "Threatening Israel with sanctions and 'further concrete actions' while a terrorist group on their borders holds their citizens hostage and refuses to stop attacking Israel is wrong." In a dire warning this week, the United Nations said 14,000 babies are at risk of acute malnutrition if food stationed at the border is not allowed to reach them in Gaza. According to aid groups, Israel began allowing dozens of humanitarian trucks into Gaza on Wednesday, but workers have not been able to bring food and supplies to distribution points and to Palestinians in need.
RNZ News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Israeli soldiers fire near diplomats on visit to occupied West Bank
Members of a diplomatic delegation from the European Union react after shots were fired as they gathered in the eastern entrance of Jenin camp during a visit to the city on 21 May, 2025, amid an ongoing Israeli military offensive in the occupied West Bank. Photo: MOHAMMAD ATEEQ / AFPTV / AFP 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 diplomats were part of the delegation to the West Bank city of Jenin. 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 EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said she had heard about the incident which happened on a visit by diplomats organised by the Palestinian Authority. "We definitely call on Israel to investigate this incident and also held these accountable who are responsible for this and any threats on diplomats' lives," she said. The Spanish Foreign Ministry said a Spaniard was among the group of diplomats, who was unhurt. "We are in contact with other affected countries to jointly coordinate a response to what happened, which we strongly condemn," it said in a statement. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on X that Israel's ambassador to Rome would be summoned to explain. Footage on Israeli television showed individuals running to vehicles with diplomatic license plates as shots were heard in the distance. 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. 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. - Reuters
Asharq Al-Awsat
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Israeli Soldiers Fire Near Diplomats on Visit to Occupied West Bank
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 diplomats were part of the delegation to the West Bank city of Jenin. The military said "the delegation deviated from the approved route and entered an area where they were not authorized to be" and that soldiers fired "warning shots to distance them away." No injuries or damage were reported, the military said. The EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said she had heard about the incident which happened on a visit by diplomats organized by the Palestinian Authority. "We definitely call on Israel to investigate this incident and also held these accountable who are responsible for this and any threats on diplomats' lives," she said. The Spanish Foreign Ministry said a Spaniard was among the group of diplomats, who was unhurt. "We are in contact with other affected countries to jointly coordinate a response to what happened, which we strongly condemn," it said in a statement. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on X that Israel's ambassador to Rome would be summoned to explain. Footage on Israeli television showed individuals running to vehicles with diplomatic license plates as shots were heard in the distance. 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. 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 gunmen. Germany's foreign ministry condemned what it called "unprovoked firing" on Wednesday by the Israeli army. The delegation included a German diplomat and a driver from the representative office in Ramallah, the ministry said in a statement. The delegation was officially registered and was conducting diplomatic activities in coordination with both the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli Army, the statement said. "The Israeli government must immediately clarify the circumstances and respect the inviolability of diplomats," it said.
