Israeli soldiers fired warning shots on Wednesday to disperse a group of senior Western diplomats, Palestinian officials, and journalists during a tour of the Palestinian city of Jenin in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. This information was confirmed by statements from the Israeli military, the Palestinian Authority, and television footage from the scene.
No injuries were reported, but the incident heightened tensions between Israel and its foreign partners amid increasing international criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank. The gunfire occurred shortly after Britain, France, and Canada called for an end to the war in Gaza and following Britain's suspension of trade talks with Israel due to concerns over its support for West Bank settlements.
The diplomatic delegation included officials from the three countries and was organized by the Palestinian Authority to showcase the impact of Israeli military operations in the area, particularly the capture and partial demolition of a section of the Jenin refugee camp.
During the tour, Israeli soldiers fired at least seven shots as the officials stood approximately 80 yards away, behind a closed gate. Videos verified by multiple sources showed the shooting began while officials were conducting interviews with journalists, some of whom had their backs turned to the soldiers.
Following the gunfire, the delegation quickly retreated, with some members seeking cover on a nearby side street. This incident took place near the site where an Israeli soldier fatally shot prominent Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in May 2022.
The Israeli military stated that the shots were fired as the delegation had “deviated from the approved route” and entered an unauthorized area. The military expressed regret for any inconvenience caused and indicated that it was reviewing the incident.
Mohammad Jarrar, the mayor of Jenin, disputed the military's assertion, claiming that the Palestinian officials had coordinated their route with Israeli counterparts prior to the visit. He stated, “There was no provocation. Only diplomats and journalists were there, and the visit plan was attached to the official invitation.”
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned the Israeli military's actions as unacceptable and announced plans to summon the Israeli ambassador to France for an explanation. Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand expressed relief over the safety of Canadian diplomats and indicated that she would ask officials to summon Israel’s ambassador to address serious concerns, calling for a full investigation and accountability.
The European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, also demanded accountability for the incident, stating that “any threats on diplomats’ lives are unacceptable.” Representatives from the European Union were part of the at least 20 diplomatic missions present during the tour.