A tense situation unfolded in the West Bank on Wednesday when Israeli Defense Forces fired warning shots at an international diplomatic delegation visiting the Jenin area. The incident, which occurred around 2 PM local time, involved representatives from numerous countries including the European Union, UK, France, China, Russia, and other nations.
The diplomatic contingent, comprising approximately 20
representatives, was receiving a briefing from the Palestinian Authority about conditions in Jenin when gunfire erupted near the refugee camp’s eastern entrance. Video footage captured the dramatic moment as diplomats frantically sought cover and rushed to their vehicles, some of which were marked with national flags.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from the Palestinian Authority, which accused Israeli forces of deliberately targeting the diplomatic group with live ammunition. The IDF, however, offered a different account, acknowledging that while the delegation had received approval to be in the area, they had deviated from their authorized route. The military expressed regret for the “inconvenience” and confirmed that an investigation would be conducted into the matter.
The diplomatic delegation included representatives from a broad spectrum of nations, including Portugal, Morocco, Brazil, Austria, Japan, Canada, India, Poland, Turkey, Romania, Mexico, Egypt, and Jordan. According to an aid worker who requested anonymity, the group was positioned near the Jenin refugee camp’s entrance when the shots were fired. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident.
This development comes at a particularly sensitive time for Israel, which is already facing unprecedented international pressure and growing isolation on the world stage. The Netanyahu government has recently announced an expansion of military operations in Gaza through an operation dubbed ‘Gideon’s Chariots,’ which is expected to force approximately two million Palestinians into a designated “humanitarian zone” while much of the enclave faces destruction.
The timing is especially problematic as Israel continues to face mounting criticism from its Western allies, some of which have already imposed sanctions on hardline Israeli settler groups and individuals. The incident has further strained diplomatic relations, with affected countries likely to summon Israeli ambassadors to their respective capitals for explanations.
The situation is particularly delicate given that many of the diplomatic representatives present during the incident were from Global South nations, which have historically maintained critical positions regarding Israeli policies toward Palestinians. This comes amid reports of severe humanitarian concerns in Gaza, including widespread famine.
The incident has also coincided with other significant diplomatic setbacks for Israel, including the recent cancellation of Vice President JD Vance’s planned visit to Israel following Netanyahu’s announcement of intensified operations in Gaza. This latest episode in Jenin is expected to further complicate Israel’s international standing and diplomatic relationships at a time when the country is already experiencing significant challenges on the global stage.
The IDF’s statement about the incident, while acknowledging the firing of warning shots, has done little to quell international concern about the treatment of diplomatic personnel in the region. Video evidence of the incident, which has been widely shared on social media, shows the chaotic scenes as diplomats fled the area, contributing to growing international scrutiny of Israeli military operations in the West Bank.