'Unacceptable': EU slams Israel over 'warning shots' fired at diplomats in West Bank
The Israeli military expressed “regret for the inconvenience” after firing near a delegation in Jenin, but the incident could further strain ties between Israel and Europe.
The European Union condemned an Israeli military incident in the West Bank on Wednesday in which Israeli soldiers fired near a group of foreign diplomats visiting Jenin, calling the event “unacceptable” and demanding accountability. The Israeli military issued an apology shortly after, saying it had fired warning shots after the delegation allegedly deviated from a pre-approved route.
The Palestinian Authority had earlier accused Israeli forces of firing directly at the officials, who were visiting the city and its refugee camp to assess the humanitarian situation. The delegation included representatives from more than 20 countries and international bodies, including Egypt, Jordan, the EU, China, Brazil, France and the United Kingdom.
What happened: The PA’s WAFA news agency reported that Israeli forces “fired live ammunition at a diplomatic delegation at the entrance to the Jenin camp.”
The Israeli military said it had coordinated with the diplomats and provided them with an approved route to avoid entering a conflict zone. An initial inquiry found that the diplomats deviated from the approved route and soldiers “fired warning shots to distance them away,” the military said in a statement.
