• The Israeli army said it “regrets the inconvenience” caused during the diplomats' visit

RAMALLAH: Italy, Spain and Belgium condemned the Israeli army on Wednesday for opening fire on a diplomatic delegation visiting the city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani denounced the incident and demanded immediate clarification from Israel. “I have just spoken to Alessandro Tutino, the Deputy Consul General of Italy in Jerusalem, who is well and was among the diplomats apparently shot at near the Jenin refugee camp,” Tajani said on X. “We call on the government of Israel to immediately clarify what happened. Threats against diplomats are unacceptable.”

Spanish foreign ministry sources told AFP that Madrid “strongly condemns” the Israeli army’s actions. “There was a Spaniard in the group of diplomats who is well. We are in contact with other affected countries to jointly coordinate a response to what happened, which we strongly condemn,” the sources said.

Belgium Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot posted on X that he was “shocked” at the incident involving a delegation on a visit “coordinated with the Israeli army” and traveling in a “clearly identifiable” convoy.

“Belgium demands a convincing explanation from Israel,” he wrote, adding that the Belgian diplomat was unharmed.

The Israeli army said it “regrets the inconvenience” caused during the diplomats’ visit.

The Palestinian Authority released a video of two soldiers aiming rifles at a group of people, condemning the attack.

It said “the heinous crime committed by the Israeli occupation forces, which deliberately targeted by live fire an accredited diplomatic delegation to the State of Palestine during a field visit to Jenin Governorate.”

A diplomat present during the visit confirmed to AFP he had heard “repeated shots” coming from inside Jenin refugee camp.

AFP