Israeli troops fired "warning shots" during a visit by foreign diplomats to the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, May 21, the military said, drawing condemnation as pressure mounted on Israel to allow aid into war-battered Gaza.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged Israel to hold to account those responsible for the shooting near Jenin, a stronghold of Palestinian armed groups and a frequent target of Israeli raids.
The Palestinian foreign ministry accused Israel of having "deliberately targeted with live fire an accredited diplomatic delegation." A European diplomat said the group had gone to the area "to see the destruction" caused by months of Israeli operations.
The Israeli military said "the delegation deviated from the approved route," prompting troops to fire "warning shots" to keep them away from "an area where they were not authorized to be." It said it "regrets the inconvenience caused" by the shooting, which resulted in no injuries.
The incident came as international pressure intensified over the war in Gaza, where Palestinians were desperate for supplies after a two-month aid blockade was eased. Rescue teams in the Palestinian territory said overnight Israeli strikes killed at least 19 people, including a week-old baby.
After the warning shots were fired at diplomats, Belgium demanded a "convincing explanation" from Israel, while Spain said it was "in contact with other affected countries to jointly coordinate a response to what happened, which we strongly condemn."
France said it would summon Israel's ambassador. Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called the shots "unacceptable" and said the envoy would be called in "to offer an explanation."
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also summoned the Israeli ambassador to Rome and said that "threats against diplomats are unacceptable." Germany said Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul would also raise the "unprovoked shooting" with his Israeli counterpart. Egypt said the incident "violates all diplomatic norms."
Ahmad al-Deek, political adviser for the Palestinian foreign ministry who accompanied the delegation, condemned "this reckless act by the Israeli army." "It had 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, Turkey and Russia.