The European Union’s top diplomat has called on Israel to investigate an incident in which Israeli forces fired near a delegation of foreign diplomats visiting the Jenin refugee camp on Wednesday, prompting international outcry and demands for explanation.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned the episode as “unacceptable,” emphasizing that “any threats to diplomats’ lives are unacceptable,” even if the shots were intended as a warning. “As Israel is a signatory to the Vienna Convention, it has an obligation to guarantee the security of foreign diplomats,” Kallas said.
The delegation, which included representatives from the EU, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, Russia, China, Jordan, Egypt, and other nations, was on an official visit organized by the Palestinian Authority to assess the humanitarian situation in Jenin. According to aid workers, the diplomats were standing near the entrance to the refugee camp when gunfire erupted shortly before 2 p.m. No injuries were reported, but video footage showed the group scrambling for cover as gunshots rang out nearby.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the delegation's visit had been approved but said the group had strayed from the designated route and entered a restricted area. Soldiers then fired warning shots, according to the military, in order to redirect the group. “The IDF regrets the inconvenience caused,” the military said, noting that a commander is reviewing the incident and that relevant countries will be updated accordingly.
The backlash from European and other foreign governments was swift. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot described the shooting as “unacceptable” and announced that the Israeli ambassador would be summoned to explain. Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also said he had called in Israel’s envoy in Rome for clarification, while his Portuguese counterpart expressed solidarity with diplomats present and pledged “appropriate diplomatic measures.”
Germany’s foreign ministry condemned what it described as Israel’s “unprovoked shelling,” attributing the lack of injuries to luck. Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prévot confirmed a Belgian diplomat was present during the incident and said Belgium is seeking “convincing explanations” from Israel.
A spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority’s foreign ministry called the incident a “heinous crime,” accusing Israeli forces of deliberately targeting the diplomatic mission.
The incident occurred just one day after Kallas announced that the EU would review its broad political and economic partnership with Israel in light of its intensified military campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in widespread displacement and humanitarian concerns. Jenin has been a focal point of Israeli operations against Palestinian militants in the West Bank throughout the year.