EU, France escalate pressure on Israel over ‘unacceptable’ warning shots at diplomats
Paris: On Wednesday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that Israel’s ambassador to Paris will be summoned following an incident in which Israeli soldiers fired warning shots during a visit by foreign diplomats to the occupied West Bank.
The delegation, which included a French diplomat, was touring Jenin, a flashpoint area known for Israeli raids and armed group activity.
Barrot called the incident “unacceptable” and said the ambassador would be expected to provide an explanation. The Israeli military stated that the delegation had deviated from the approved route and approached a restricted area, prompting troops to fire warning shots to deter them. No injuries were reported, and the army later expressed regret for the inconvenience caused.
The Palestinian foreign ministry alleged the Israeli army had deliberately targeted the diplomatic group with live fire. A European diplomat involved said the visit was intended to observe destruction caused by months of Israeli operations in Jenin.
The incident has triggered diplomatic fallout, with Belgium, Spain, and Italy also condemning the act and summoning Israeli envoys. Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said threats to diplomats were “unacceptable,” while Spain is coordinating with other nations for a joint response.
The event occurred amid mounting international pressure on Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, where a total blockade since March 2 has led to severe shortages. Although Israel reported that 93 aid trucks entered Gaza on Tuesday, aid agencies and the UN said the assistance was far below needs. Over 53,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, including over 3,500 since strikes resumed in mid-March.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and other leaders have criticised Israel's actions, with Sweden pushing for EU sanctions and Britain suspending free-trade talks with Israel. Pope Leo XIV also urged the delivery of adequate aid to Gaza, calling the situation “worrying and painful.”
Despite international criticism, Israel maintains that it is acting to protect its citizens and that allegations of deliberate targeting are false. The Israeli foreign ministry said the EU’s diplomatic pressure reflects a misunderstanding of the complex reality on the ground.
The war began after the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack that killed 1,218 people in Israel. In response, Israel launched widespread military operations in Gaza, which have continued with few pauses, escalating tensions across the region.