Foreign relations of Israel More than a dozen governments condemn the Israeli military firing in the direction of a diplomatic delegation with representatives from 31...

Shots force delegation representing 31 countries, including Italy, Canada, Egypt and UK, to run for cover.

Israeli troops fired “warning shots” towards a group of 25 diplomats visiting Jenin in the Israel-occupied West Bank on Wednesday, prompting a wave of outrage and calls for an investigation from world leaders and ministers.

Footage shows a number of diplomats giving media interviews when rapid shots rang out nearby, forcing them to run for cover.

The delegation comprised ambassadors and diplomats representing 31 countries, including Italy, Canada, Egypt, Jordan, the UK, China and Russia.

The group was on an official mission organised by the Palestinian Authority to observe the humanitarian situation there.

The Israeli military said the visit had been approved but the delegation “deviated from the approved route” and Israeli soldiers fired warning shots to distance them from the area.

The Canadian, British, French and other European ministers summoned Israeli ambassadors in their respective capitals to explain the “unacceptable” incident, which will fuel already growing international anger and concern as Israel continues its offensive in Gaza and ramps up the expansion of settlements in the West Ba...

Germany, a longtime Israel ally, condemned what it called “unprovoked firing,” while Canada, Turkey and the EU demanded an investigation.

“We expect an immediate explanation of what happened.

It’s totally unacceptable,” Canadian prime minister Mark Carney told a press conference.

Four Canadian diplomats were part of the group.

A spokesperson for UN secretary general António Guterres also urged Israel to conduct a “thorough investigation”.

“It is clear that diplomats who are doing their work should never be shot at, attacked in any way, shape or form, and their safety, their inviolability, must be respected at all times,” said the spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric.

Egypt said the incident “violates all diplomatic norms”.

The political importance lies in whether the issue moves from public comment into formal action, party response, court record, election authority notice or administrative decision.

For public institutions and political groups, the next test is whether the issue remains a public argument or turns into a formal response, legal proceeding, administrative instruction or election-related communication.