Israeli troops open fire at foreign diplomats during tour in West Bank

A group of foreign diplomats came under fire while visiting the Jenin refugee camp in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Authority.

The diplomats were on an official mission to observe the humanitarian situation in Jenin when shots rang out. 

An aid worker, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisal, said a delegation of about 20 diplomats was being briefed about the situation in Jenin by the Palestinian Authority.

The group of regional, European and Western diplomats were standing near the entrance of the Jenin refugee camp when they heard gunshots just before 2pm local time, said witnesses.

No one was injured in the incident.

Footage posted on social media showed the delegation scrambling for cover just inside the eastern entrance to the Jenin camp as loud shots ring out.

Read more: Thousands of Gaza babies at risk of dying within hours if Israel doesn’t allow aid: UN

A video released by the Palestinian foreign ministry showed two men in Israeli army uniform pointing guns at a group of people from behind metal gates while the shots ring out.

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The Israeli military said the visit had been approved, but the delegation “deviated from the approved route” and Israeli soldiers fired warning shots to distance them from the area. The IDF apologised for the incident and said they will contact all of the relevant countries involved in the visit. 

The delegation included diplomats from China, Japan, Mexico and several European, including France, Spain and Italy.

🔴 اسرائیلی فوج نے جنین کے علاقے کا دورہ کرنے والے تقریباً 30 سفیروں اور قونصلز سمیت غیر ملکی سفارتی وفد پر فائرنگ کی۔

pic.twitter.com/RQWjW5Xytn

— RTEUrdu (@RTEUrdu) May 21, 2025