Global Outcry Over Israeli Troops Firing Near Diplomatic Delegation in Occupied West Bank
Last Updated on May 24, 2025 by Athi Venkatesh
A wave of international condemnation has followed an incident in Jenin, occupied West Bank, where Israeli forces fired warning shots near a diplomatic delegation. The Israeli military claimed the diplomats strayed from an approved route and said shots were fired into the air to keep them away from a restricted zone. While no one was injured, the event has sparked diplomatic fallout, with several countries summoning Israeli ambassadors and demanding explanations.
The incident occurred amidst ongoing Israeli military operations in Jenin, which began in January as part of a campaign against Palestinian armed groups. Spain, France, Italy, Turkey, Ireland, and Egypt—some of whom had diplomats present—criticized the action as dangerous and unacceptable, emphasizing that it endangered diplomatic personnel. Ireland confirmed the presence of two of its diplomats and expressed intent to demand full accountability from Israel.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) accused Israel of deliberately targeting the group, calling it a “heinous crime.” The delegation had been visiting to assess humanitarian conditions and document alleged violations by Israeli forces. According to the PA, dozens of countries participated in the visit, including Egypt, Jordan, Spain, Turkey, France, Ireland, and the UK.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) maintained that the warning shots were necessary to prevent the group from entering an unauthorized area. However, an EU diplomat stated the delegation was there to witness the destruction caused by Israeli operations. The IDF has pledged to brief the involved nations following an internal review.
The incident has intensified scrutiny over Israel’s military campaign in the West Bank. The UN reports that 40,000 Palestinian camp residents have been displaced and barred from returning for a year. Since January, the Israeli military has reported killing 60 fighters and detaining 280 individuals, while the UN has documented 124 Palestinian deaths in the West Bank this year alone.
The broader conflict has escalated since Hamas’s October 2023 attack on southern Israel, with rising casualties on both sides. International law continues to view Israel’s settlement activities in the occupied territories as illegal, a stance supported by the International Court of Justice, though Israel disputes this interpretation.
