A group of 25 diplomats visiting Jenin confronted a tense situation after Israeli soldiers fired what they called “warning shots” during their official tour. The diplomats were part of a mission organised by the Palestinian Authority to assess the humanitarian conditions in the region.

The Israeli military acknowledged the visit had been approved, but claimed that the group had “deviated from the approved route.” As a result, soldiers fired warning shots to “distance them from the area.” A video from the scene showed diplomats speaking to the media before the sound of gunfire forced them to run for safety.

The delegation included representatives from 31 countries, amongst them the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, Jordan, and Egypt. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said they “regret the inconvenience caused” and that senior military officials would follow up with the diplomats to share the report of an internal investigation into the shooting.

Jenin has been a hotspot of conflict. In January, tens of thousands of Palestinians from the city were displaced in a major Israeli military operation.

EUROPEAN NATIONS DEMAND ANSWERS FROM ISRAEL

In response to the shooting, countries including the United Kingdom and France summoned Israeli ambassadors to their capitals to give an explanation. European ambassadors labelled the incident as “unacceptable” and raised questions about the security of foreign officials working within the occupied territories.

The attack is part of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and the expansion of settlements in the West Bank, both of which are deemed illegal under international law.

Meanwhile, the situation in Gaza is worsening. At least 82 people were killed on Wednesday in Israeli shelling and airstrikes, according to the Gaza health ministry and local hospitals.

In Khan Younis, a southern Gaza City where Israel has issued evacuations after 24 were reported dead. Fourteen of them belonged to the same family, said Palestinian officials.