The UK government is demanding that Israel conduct an investigation after its troops fired warning shots while British diplomats were passing through the West Bank. The incident occurred in the city of Jenin, where diplomats from Ireland, France, Germany, and Turkey were also present. The shooting took place on Wednesday, and all four countries have condemned the actions of the Israeli troops.
The group of around 20 people, including two British diplomats, managed to escape unharmed. Footage captured the moment when the delegation was gathered outside before fleeing as the gunshots rang out. Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer labeled the incident in Jenin as “unacceptable” and called for a thorough investigation to hold those responsible accountable.
In response to the situation, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced measures targeting prominent settler leader Daniella Weiss and two others. The measures also aim at two illegal outposts and two organizations accused of supporting violence against Palestinian communities. Ireland’s deputy premier Simon Harris, France’s foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot, and Turkey’s foreign ministry have all strongly condemned the shooting, criticizing Israel’s actions. Germany’s foreign office also condemned the “unprovoked gunfire,” expressing relief that the incident did not result in more severe consequences.
The Israeli military claimed that the delegation had deviated from the approved route of their visit, prompting IDF soldiers to fire warning shots to move them from the area. The IDF apologized for the incident and promised to contact all countries involved in the visit. The shooting occurred a day after the UK announced the cessation of trade deal talks with Israel and summoned the country’s ambassador to express dissatisfaction with the situation in Gaza.
Hospitals in northern Gaza are under siege by Israeli troops, preventing anyone from entering or leaving. The Indonesian and al Awda hospitals, among the region’s few remaining medical facilities, have come under fire. The director-general of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warned that Israel’s military operations and evacuation orders are overwhelming the health system. Nearly half a million Palestinians, including children, are facing starvation due to the lack of aid reaching Gaza.
UK ministers revealed plans to send £4 million of aid to Gaza, including essential medicines, safe drinking water, and food parcels. Minister for development Jenny Chapman criticized the Israeli government for failing to allow full humanitarian access to aid workers and restricting the flow of trucks into Gaza. The UK emphasized that Israel will not achieve security by prolonging the suffering of the Palestinian people. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stressed the urgency of getting humanitarian aid into Gaza promptly.
Despite international concerns about the situation in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains steadfast in his stance. He dismissed European leaders’ attempts to influence Israel and vowed to continue necessary actions to end the conflict. Netanyahu criticized Britain’s sanctions against Israel, calling them a “mark of shame” and accusing the country of targeting Israel instead of Hamas. Amid escalating tensions, the transfer of aid into Gaza has become a contentious issue, with fears of a looming famine in the territory.
In conclusion, the diplomatic row over the shooting in Jenin and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate, with both sides standing firm in their positions. The international community’s efforts to provide aid and support to the Palestinians are met with challenges and obstacles from Israel. The situation remains precarious, with no immediate resolution in sight.
