Israel opens fire on diplomatic delegation in Jenin

Italian Foreign Minister Tajani summons the Israeli ambassador. Condemnations and requests for clarification from EU, Belgium and Arab countries

Israeli forces opened fire today, Wednesday 21 May, at a diplomatic delegation on an official visit to the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank. Among those present was the Italian deputy consul in Jerusalem, Alessandro Tutino, who was fortunately unharmed. The episode provoked an immediate diplomatic reaction at the international level.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani personally contacted the Italian diplomat, who returned to the consulate without physical consequences, and arranged for the Israeli ambassador in Rome to be summoned to ask for an official explanation. ‘The threats against diplomats are unacceptable. We call on the government of Israel to immediately clarify what happened,’ Tajani said on X.

Belgium’s reaction was also harsh. Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said he was ‘shocked’ by the incident, pointing out that among the twenty diplomats in the convoy – made up of clearly identifiable vehicles – was a Belgian colleague. ‘Belgium demands convincing explanations,’ he wrote.

The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Policy, Kaja Kallas, condemned the incident as ‘unacceptable’ and called on Israel ‘to investigate the incident and identify those responsible’. The diplomatic visit, according to official sources, had been previously agreed with the Israeli army.

Meanwhile, the conflict in the Gaza Strip continues to claim victims. In the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health has recorded 82 dead and 262 wounded. Since the resumption of fighting last March, the total death toll has risen to 3,509 Palestinian victims and 9,909 wounded.

Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed recent international statements against the Israeli embargo on Gaza. ‘We appreciate the joint statement of Britain, France and Canada and that of the European Union countries. All have rejected the policies of blockade, starvation, displacement and land seizure,’ he said in a note.

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