The European Union and several of its member states have issued strong condemnations following an incident in the occupied West Bank in which Israeli forces fired warning shots near a delegation of diplomats visiting Jenin.
The group, which included representatives from EU countries, the United Kingdom, Russia, and China, was present in the city on the invitation of the Palestinian Authority to inspect a refugee camp and assess the local humanitarian situation.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the delegation had “deviated from the approved route” and entered what it described as “an area of active combat operations”. Warning shots were fired into the air to deter the group from proceeding further. The IDF expressed “regret for the inconvenience caused” and announced an internal investigation was under way.
No injuries were reported during the incident, but the diplomatic fallout has been significant. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas condemned the incident, stating that “any threats to the safety of diplomats are unacceptable”. She called on Israel to carry out a thorough investigation and hold those responsible to account.
The diplomatic delegation had been visiting Jenin to observe the aftermath of Israeli military operations, which have been ongoing in the area since January.
Israel’s military operation in Jenin is part of a wider campaign initiated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aimed at what he termed the “defeat of terrorism” in the West Bank. The operation has since expanded to include the cities of Tulkarm and Tubas. The United Nations estimates that approximately 40,000 residents of refugee camps in these areas have been forcibly displaced, with many told they will not be permitted to return for at least a year.
The EU has recently increased pressure on Israel over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. Several European governments have urged the Israeli authorities to lift all restrictions hindering the delivery of humanitarian assistance. In parallel, the EU has supported a proposal by Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp to examine whether Israel remains in compliance with the terms of its cooperation agreements with the European Union.
In response to the Jenin incident, Spain, France, Italy, Ireland, Egypt, and Turkey have publicly criticised Israel. Some of these countries have summoned Israeli ambassadors to provide explanations. Egypt said the shooting “violates all diplomatic norms”, while Turkey described the incident as another example of “systematic disregard for international law”.
Ireland confirmed that two of its diplomats, based in Ramallah, were part of the targeted delegation. Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Ireland would be “demanding answers from Israel on exactly how this came to happen”.
The wider context of the incident is one of heightened violence in the West Bank and Gaza. Since the start of 2025, the UN has recorded 124 Palestinian fatalities as a result of Israeli military actions in the West Bank alone. The Israeli military has claimed it has killed 60 individuals it identified as combatants and arrested 280 more in recent months.
The violence follows the 7 October 2023 attack by Hamas on southern Israel, which marked a sharp escalation in the conflict. In response, Israel launched extensive operations in both Gaza and the West Bank. The Jenin area has seen particularly intense confrontations, with regular Israeli raids targeting suspected militant infrastructure.
The EU, along with the broader international community, continues to regard Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem as illegal under international law. This position was reaffirmed by an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice in 2024. Israel disputes this interpretation.
The incident in Jenin is the latest in a series of developments raising concerns about Israel’s conduct in the occupied territories and its adherence to international norms. With tensions continuing to rise, European policymakers are calling for reassessment of Israel’s compliance with agreements that underpin its political and economic relations with the EU.
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