Israeli soldiers fired “warning shots” during a visit by foreign diplomats to the occupied West Bank, the military said.

This sparked condemnation as pressure is mounting on Israel to allow aid into the war-torn Gaza Strip, AFP reported.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas called on Israel to hold those responsible for the shooting near Jenin, a stronghold of Palestinian armed groups and a frequent target of Israeli raids, accountable.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry accused Israel of “deliberately attacking an accredited diplomatic delegation with live fire.” A European diplomat said the group had gone to the area “to see the destruction” caused by months of Israeli operations.

The Israeli military said the delegation had deviated from the approved route, prompting soldiers to fire “warning shots” to keep them away from “an area where they were not allowed to be.”

They said they “regretted the inconvenience” caused by the shooting, which did not result in any injuries.

Following the warning shots fired at the diplomats, Belgium demanded a “convincing explanation” from Israel, while Spain said it was “in contact with other affected countries to coordinate a joint response to the incident, which we strongly condemn.”

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani summoned the Israeli ambassador to Rome and said that “threats against diplomats are unacceptable.”

Spain, France, and Portugal announced they would do the same. Germany said Foreign Minister Johann Wazewaldt would also raise the issue of the “unprovoked shooting” with his Israeli counterpart.

Egypt stressed that the incident “violates all diplomatic norms.”

It came at a time of mounting international pressure over the war in Gaza, where Palestinians are in desperate need of supplies after a two-month blockade on aid was eased.

Rescue teams in the Palestinian territory reported that at least 19 people, including a week-old baby, were killed in Israeli strikes overnight. | BGNES