Israeli Forces Fire Warning Shots at Diplomats in West Bank, UN Alarms

Israeli soldiers fired warning shots near a diplomatic delegation visiting Jenin in the occupied West Bank, causing diplomats and journalists to take cover. The delegation, which included representatives from over 20 countries and UN staff, was on an official mission hosted by the Palestinian Authority to assess humanitarian conditions amidst ongoing Israeli military operations. Israel claimed the group strayed from an approved route and entered a restricted area, prompting the warning shots, while Palestinian and diplomatic sources denied any deviation or provocation. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UN officials strongly condemned the use of force against diplomats, insisting on their safety and the inviolability of their mission, and called for a thorough investigation. Multiple countries, including Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, and others, expressed outrage and demanded accountability, with several summoning Israeli ambassadors or demanding investigations. The incident highlighted ongoing tensions in the West Bank, where human rights concerns persist amid military operations, and underscored the limited and insufficient aid reaching Gaza amid the broader conflict.