Israeli troops shoot the delegation of diplomats

Representatives from more than 20 countries – including the United Kingdom, France and Portugal – visited occupied West Bank when they heard “warning” shots. European countries protest and Israel lament “nuisance”.

Israeli troops fired warning shots during the visit of foreign diplomats to the West Bank on Wednesday (21/05). The group was on an official mission organized by the Palestinian Authority (AP) to observe the humanitarian situation in the territory occupied by Israel.

According to reports of people involved in the mission, there were delegations from about 20 countries, including the United Kingdom, Portugal, France and Canada, among others. The group was near the entrance to the refugee camp of the city of Jenin, which in January had already been the target of a military operation.

Videos show people running and seeking to protect themselves in cars to the sounds and sirens. No one was injured.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry accused Israel of having “deliberately attacked with accredited diplomatic delegation with royal delegation.”

Israel’s defense forces (FDI) claimed that the mission “deviated from the approved route” and that soldiers shot as warning to remove them from the area. The corporation has apologized and said it will contact all the countries involved in the visit. “The FDI mourns the discomfort caused,” said Israeli forces, adding that an investigation will be carried out.

European Union’s head of foreign policy, Kaja Kallas, asked Israel to take action against those responsible for the shots.

Representatives from countries such as Italy, Belgium, and Spain also individually condemned the attacks and demanded a “convincing explanation” from the Israeli government.

“A visit to Jenin, in which one of our diplomats was participating, was the target of Israeli soldiers. This is unacceptable,” said France Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, adding that France will call the Israeli ambassador “to explain.”

Already the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany vehemently condemned Israel’s “unlocked shots” in a statement and said it was a matter of luck that “nothing worse happened.”

“We condemn this reckless act of the Israeli army, especially at the time he gave the diplomatic delegation an impression of life that the Palestinian people are living,” said Ahmad Al-Deek, political advisor to the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, which he said he was leading the delegation.

Diplomats and other members of the international entourage in Jenin try to protect themselves in the sound of fire | Mohammad Ateq/AFP

International pressure

The incident took place amid the intensification of Israel’s attacks on the other Palestinian territory, the Gaza Strip, and the growing international pressure for an end to the war. Israel resumed its operations throughout the Palestinian territory on March 18, breaking two months of ceasefire, and since then imposed a blockade on the enclave, aggravating the already critical situation of millions of Palestinians.

Since the end of the ceasefire, at least 3,509 people in Gaza have been killed, raising the total number of dead in the war to 53,655, according to data from the Gaza Ministry of Health, controlled by the Hamas Group.

Israel reported released the entry of 93 trucks with food and medicines on Tuesday, but faced accusations that the amount was far below the necessary and could not be distributed. The United Nations reported on Wednesday that the help was being retained.

There was also manifestation of Israeli ultra-right groups near Kerem Shalom’s border passage to try to block trucks with humanitarian aid, which were confronted by pro-Palestinian groups.

Israeli right -wing protesters try to block the entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza | ILIA YEFIMOVICH/DPA/PICTURE-LLIANCE

Given the framework of the risk of widespread hunger in Gaza, the European Union announced that it is reviewing its commercial ties with Israel. Kaja Kallas said on Tuesday that “a strong majority” of the Foreign Ministers of the 27 Bloc countries support the initiative to review their commercial cooperation with the country.

“Countries see that the situation in Gaza is unsustainable … and what we want is to unlock humanitarian aid,” she said.

On Tuesday, the United Kingdom suspended negotiations from a free trade agreement with Israel. Canada and France also promised concrete measures until Israel interrupts the war.

Pope Leo 14 described the situation in Gaza as “worrying and painful” and called for “the entry of sufficient humanitarian aid.”

Even the United States, Israel’s closest ally, seem to be questioning their support. According to the American press, President Donald Trump has sent messages to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the war.

The Israeli government states that it is prepared to interrupt its military offensive as soon as all hosts taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023 return home, and that the terrorist group be defeated, exiled, and unarmed.

In the attack that triggered the current Israeli offensive, Hamas killed 1,218 people and kidnapped 251-58 remain in captivity, and one third of them is believed to be alive. The others were returned in ceasefire agreements or exchanged for Palestinian hostages.

Hamas says it will free the remaining hostages in exchange for a total Israeli withdrawal from the territory and the end of the war. The group rejects the requirements of exile and disarmament.

More than 2 million people are on the brink of full hunger in Gaza, after two months without receiving any help from outside | EYAD BABA/AFP

Attacks continue

Meanwhile, Israeli attacks continued in Gaza. In the city of Khan Youis, where Israel recently ordered new evacuations, 24 people were killed, 14 from the same family, according to local authorities. A one week baby was killed in downtown Gaza.

Palestinians carry the bodies of Israeli bombing victims in downtown Gaza, including a newborn | Ramadan ABED/Reuters

Israeli troops also surrounded two of the last hospitals in operation in northern Gaza, preventing anyone from leaving or between the facilities, according to hospital staff and humanitarian aid groups.

Humanitarian aid organizations warned that many of Gaza’s 2 million inhabitants face a high risk of hunger, and survive rala soups.

“We want nothing but the end of the war. We don’t want charity kitchens. Not even the dogs would eat it, the more the children,” Somaia Abu Amsha told the AP news agency, pointing to the soup. She said she hasn’t had bread for over ten days and that she can’t buy rice or pasta.

Originally published by DW on 21/05/2025