[MIDDLE EAST] Israeli forces fired “warning shots” at a group of 25 diplomats visiting Jenin in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Wednesday, sparking widespread outrage and prompting calls for an investigation from global leaders and ministers.
In video footage, diplomats are seen giving media interviews when rapid gunfire suddenly rang out nearby, forcing them to take cover. The delegation, which included ambassadors and diplomats from 31 countries—such as Italy, Canada, Egypt, Jordan, the UK, China, and Russia—was on an official visit organized by the Palestinian Authority to assess the humanitarian situation in the region. The Israeli military confirmed the visit was authorized but stated that the delegation had “deviated from the approved route,” leading soldiers to fire warning shots to push them away from the area.
The Jenin incident is part of a broader surge in tensions in the region. Recent months have seen increasing clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian civilians, alongside growing international condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank. The international community has repeatedly urged for a de-escalation of violence and the protection of civilians and diplomats, with a focus on Israel adhering to international law.
Ministers from Canada, the UK, France, and other European nations summoned Israeli ambassadors to demand an explanation for the “unacceptable” incident, which further fuels mounting international concern as Israel continues its military offensive in Gaza and accelerates the expansion of settlements in the West Bank—actions considered illegal under international law.
Germany, a longtime ally of Israel, condemned the “unprovoked firing,” while Canada, Turkey, and the EU called for an investigation. “We expect an immediate explanation of what happened. It’s totally unacceptable,” said Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, noting that four Canadian diplomats were part of the group.
A spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres also demanded a “thorough investigation,” emphasizing that diplomats should never face attacks while carrying out their duties. “Their safety, their inviolability, must be respected at all times,” said Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesperson.
The incident has raised concerns over the security of diplomatic missions in conflict zones, where diplomats are typically tasked with neutral, humanitarian work. The targeting of this delegation underscores the volatile nature of the situation in both the West Bank and Gaza, highlighting the need for enhanced protection and accountability.
Egypt condemned the incident as a violation of “all diplomatic norms,” while the Palestinian foreign ministry accused Israel of “deliberately targeting” the diplomats with live fire. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) expressed regret for the “inconvenience caused” and stated that senior officials would contact the diplomats to share the results of an internal investigation.
Jenin was the site of a large-scale Israeli assault in January, which forced tens of thousands of Palestinians from their homes, marking one of the largest displacements in years. The humanitarian crisis in Jenin and other parts of the West Bank remains dire, with shortages of essential supplies like food, water, and medical resources, while ongoing violence has intensified civilian suffering. International aid organizations are struggling to deliver assistance due to logistical hurdles and the continuing violence. The diplomatic incident underscores the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis and ensuring the safety of aid workers.
Meanwhile, a new wave of airstrikes and artillery shelling in Gaza on Wednesday claimed at least 82 lives, including several women and a week-old infant, according to the Gaza Health Ministry and hospital officials. In Khan Younis, where Israel recently ordered evacuations ahead of a major assault, 24 people were killed, including 14 members of the same family.
Later in the day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that “all of the Gaza Strip will be under the Israeli army’s control” by the end of its intensified offensive. Amid growing international pressure to allow food aid to reach starving Palestinians, Netanyahu stated, “We must avoid a humanitarian crisis to preserve our freedom of operational action.”
Since Monday, approximately 100 aid trucks have entered Gaza after Netanyahu's government lifted an 11-week blockade that had placed the region at “critical risk of famine.” However, the distribution of aid remains delayed, with several trucks passing through the Kerem Shalom checkpoint on Wednesday, but their cargoes had not been unloaded by late evening.
Abdel-Nasser al-Ajramy, head of the bakery owners' society in Gaza, stated that at least 25 bakeries, which were expecting flour from the World Food Programme, had received nothing, leaving people waiting for food with no relief in sight. With much of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents relying on free bakeries and community kitchens, the majority of these operations have been shut down.
“There is no flour, no food, no water,” said 67-year-old Sabah Warsh Agha from Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza. “We used to get water from the pump, but now it’s stopped. There’s no diesel or gas.”
Humanitarian officials report that complex logistical challenges, continued fighting, an Israeli requirement to reload cargoes onto new trucks upon entry, and a shortage of fuel and usable roads are all slowing the delivery of aid. Further delays were caused by Israeli military instructions to send aid convoys along Gaza’s southern border with Egypt and the coast, both of which are prone to looting.
Israel’s latest offensive in Gaza, following a two-month ceasefire, has drawn strong condemnation from nations that had previously refrained from openly criticizing Israel. Even the United States, Israel’s closest ally, has shown signs of losing patience with Prime Minister Netanyahu.
On Tuesday, Britain announced it was suspending talks with Israel regarding a free trade deal, while France, Canada, and other European nations have threatened “concrete actions” if Israel persists with its offensive and continued restrictions on aid.
Separately, the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, revealed that the bloc was reviewing its trade agreement with Israel due to its actions in Gaza. The agreement requires all signatories to uphold “human rights and democratic principles,” and the EU’s review could conclude swiftly, drawing from a detailed 34-page report on alleged systemic violations of international law by both Israel and Hamas.
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