Mohamed Garba
Israeli forces fired warning shots on Wednesday during a visit by foreign diplomats to the occupied West Bank city of Jenin, sparking condemnation from Palestinian officials and European nations.
The incident, captured on video, saw diplomats and journalists scrambling for cover as gunfire echoed near the Jenin refugee camp—a frequent flashpoint for Israeli military operations.
According to the Israeli military, the delegation, which included diplomats accredited to the Palestinian Authority, “deviated from the approved route” into an unauthorized area. Soldiers responded by firing warning shots “to distance them away,” the military stated, adding that it “regrets the inconvenience caused.”
However, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry accused Israeli troops of “deliberately targeting” the delegation with live fire, calling it a “heinous crime.” AFP footage from the scene showed attendees darting to vehicles as shots rang out.
A video released by Palestinian officials appeared to show Israeli soldiers aiming weapons through newly installed metal gates at the camp’s entrance. While AFP could not immediately verify the clip, its journalist confirmed the location matched the site of the incident.
The confrontation drew swift criticism from Spain and Italy, whose representatives were reportedly part of the delegation. A European diplomat present during the tour described hearing “repeated shots” as the group examined damage from recent Israeli operations near the camp. “We just all started running back to the cars,” the diplomat told AFP, requesting anonymity.
Ahmad al-Deek, political advisor to the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, who led the delegation, condemned the “reckless act” as emblematic of daily life under occupation. “This is the reality Palestinians endure,” he said.
Jenin refugee camp, a militant stronghold, has been a focal point of intensified Israeli raids since January. The military recently erected metal gates around the camp, part of efforts to curb resistance factions. The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reported that ongoing operations have displaced approximately 16,000 Jenin residents as of late March, with many homes and infrastructure destroyed.
Despite the chaos, no injuries were reported. The incident underscores rising tensions in the West Bank, where Israeli operations have surged over the past year. Over 200 Palestinians and nearly 30 Israelis have been killed since January 2023, according to UN figures.
The shooting risks further straining Israel’s relations with European allies, already critical of its settlement expansion and military tactics. As international scrutiny grows, both sides remain entrenched: Israel insists on security imperatives, while Palestinians demand an end to occupation.
The Jenin camp, largely emptied of residents and now under tighter military control, stands as a stark symbol of the conflict’s human toll—and the diplomatic fissures it continues to provoke.
