Ramallah/Tel Aviv, May 5, (dpa/GNA) – The Israeli military fired shots near a diplomatic delegation touring the city of Jenin in the north of the West Bank, the Palestinian Authority said on Wednesday.
“The occupation forces opened heavy fire from inside the Jenin refugee camp to intimidate the diplomatic delegation that is conducting a field tour around the camp to witness the extent of the suffering endured by the residents of the area,” it posted on X.
The authority, which has civil control of the Israeli-occupied West Bank but does not have power in the Gaza Strip, expressed strong criticism of the Israeli action. There were no initial reports of casualties.
It was also not clear which countries were represented in the diplomatic delegation.
IDF says it fired warning shots
The Israeli military said that members of the delegation had deviated from the route that had been approved beforehand and had entered an area where they were not permitted to be.
Israeli troops had initially seen the diplomats as a threat and had fired warning shots to keep them at a distance, it said.
The Israeli authorities said that an investigation into the incident had been launched and that it would be discussed with the relevant countries. They expressed regret at the inconvenience caused.
Media reports said the delegation had been assessing the humanitarian situation in the city’s refugee camp.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry described the incident as a “blatant and serious violation of international law.”
EU’s Kallas urges investigation
The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, on Wednesday urged Israel to investigate the incident.
Kallas had been informed of the incident “where Israeli defence forces shot warning shots, but still shots, at a group of diplomats approaching the refugee camp within the visit organized by the Palestinian Authority,” she said.
“We definitely call on Israel to investigate this incident and also hold those accountable who are responsible for this,” Kallas told journalists.
“Any threats on diplomats’ lives are unacceptable,” she said.
Kallas stressed that Israel was obliged “to guarantee the security of all foreign diplomats” under an international convention.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said he was “shocked to learn that the Israeli army today opened fire on around 20 diplomats, including a Belgian colleague.”
“Fortunately, he is all right,” Prévot added.
“These diplomats were on an official visit to Jenin, which had been coordinated with the Israeli army, in a convoy of around 20 clearly identifiable vehicles. Belgium is asking Israel for a convincing explanation.”
In Paris, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot described the incident as “unacceptable” and said that the Israeli ambassador to France would be summoned. Similar reactions came from countries such as Italy, Spain and Belgium.
Berlin condemns ‘unprovoked shooting’
The German Foreign Office demanded an explanation from the Israeli government on how shots were fired towards the diplomatic delegation.
“The Foreign Office strongly condemns this unprovoked shooting. We can count ourselves lucky that nothing worse happened,” a spokeswoman said on Wednesday.
“The independent observer role of the diplomats on the ground is indispensable and in no way poses a threat to Israeli security interests,” the Foreign Office spokeswoman stressed. The Israeli government must respect the inviolability of diplomats, she added.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul spoke on the phone with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar, the Foreign Office told dpa in Berlin.
Irish foreign minister also weighs in
Two Irish diplomats were among the delegation near which Israeli soldiers fired shots in the West Bank, the Irish government said.
Irish Deputy Premier and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Harris condemned the incident “in the strongest terms” and said it was “completely unacceptable.”
“I am shocked and appalled at reports that the [Israel Defense Forces] fired shots in the vicinity of a visit to Jenin today by a group of diplomats, including two Irish diplomats based in Ramallah,” Harris said in a statement.
“Fortunately, no-one was hurt. This is completely unacceptable, and I condemn it in the strongest terms.”
Jenin has long been a stronghold of Palestinian and anti-Israeli militants and has seen repeated Israeli military operations.
GNA
PDC