The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on Wednesday fired “warning shots” at a group of foreing diplomats after the convoy reportedly strayed from a pre-approved route during their visit to Jenin, an area the army described as an “active combat zone”.The video footage from the scene showed diplomats fleeing in panic as shots rang out.Among those present was Alessandro Tutino, Italy’s deputy consul general in Jerusalem. Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani confirmed Tutino was unharmed and demanded immediate clarification from Israel. “Threats against diplomats are unacceptable,” he posted on X.“I have just spoken with Alessandro Tutino, the deputy consul of Italy in Jerusalem, who is safe and was among the diplomats reportedly attacked with gunfire near the Jenin refugee camp. We urge the Israeli government to clarify the incident immediately. Threats against diplomats are unacceptable,” he wrote.EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also weighed in, urging Israel to investigate the incident and hold those responsible to account. “Any threats on diplomats’ lives are unacceptable,” she told reporters in Brussels.According to Palestinian officials and the news agency Wafa, the group included diplomats from over 30 countries, including France, Britain, Canada, China, India and several EU member states. The visit, organised to assess the humanitarian situation in Jenin, was reportedly coordinated with the Israeli military in advance.However, the IDF later claimed the delegation had deviated from the approved route and entered a prohibited area near the Jenin refugee camp. Soldiers stationed there fired into the air to deter what they initially perceived as an unauthorised entry.“When coordinating the entry [to Jenin], members of the delegation were provided an approved route that they were instructed to follow due to the area being an active combat zone,” the army said.Upon realising the group comprised foreign diplomats, Brigadier General Yaki Dolf, head of the IDF’s West Bank division, launched an internal inquiry. A separate review was ordered by Brigadier General Hisham Ibrahim of the Civil Administration, who pledged direct communication with the countries involved. “The IDF regrets the inconvenience caused,” the military said in a statement.The incident comes amid growing international pressure on Israel over its ongoing military operations in Gaza. Israeli airstrikes continued across the enclave on Wednesday, killing at least 82 people, including women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry.
