Israeli Defence Forces fired live ammunition at a diplomatic delegation from the European Union, the UK, Arab nations, Russia and China. They were on an official visit to the West Bank to assess the humanitarian crisis caused by settler attacks and large-scale military operations.
Israel claims its troops fired 'warning shots' to force the diplomats away, as they deviated from a pre-approved route near the Jenin refugee camp.
World leaders condemned the threatening of diplomats on a humanitarian mission, just doing their jobs.
But, Middle-East experts flag a larger pattern: Israeli impunity in occupied West Bank.
They claim that firing at diplomats was an attempt to prevent them from witnessing the atrocities inflicted on Palestinians in the region.
ESCALATING VIOLENCE IN THE WEST BANK
Since Israel began its 'genocidal war' in Gaza, settler attacks and IDF operations against Palestinians in the West Bank have surged dramatically.
Al Jazeera has reported more than 14,000 attacks in the Israel-occupied territory over the past year. Since October 2023, four settler attacks per day—under the protection of the Israeli army—have been recorded.
Ramallah and el-Bireh governorate witnessed 321 attacks, highest in the Palestinian territory, followed by 319 in Nablus and 298 in Hebron.
Reports indicate that over 700,000 Israeli settlers now live in at least 250 settlements and outposts in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Armed settlers frequently seize Palestinian-owned properties in efforts to forcibly displace them and occupy their land.
These incidents have been extensively reported and documented.
Thousands of videos show Palestinians being violently dragged from their homes. The United Nations has issued urgent appeals, demanding the Israeli government halt armed settler aggression.
But, Israel has doubled down in its support for settlers in the West Bank.
In October 2024, Far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir distributed over 120,000 semi-automatic rifles to Jewish settlers, that are now being used to terrorize Palestinians in the enclave.
Even as settler attacks go unchecked, IDF has launched several operations targeting alleged 'militant hubs' in West Bank's refugee camps. And the civilian casualties of war only continue to pile up.
HUMAN COST OF ISRAELI ATTACKS
Reports suggest over 744 Palestinians—including 164 children—have been killed, and more than 6,250 injured in the West Bank since October 2023.
In the past year alone, over 4,555 Palestinians have been displaced in the territory due to IDF home demolitions.
At least 1,768 Palestinian-owned structures have been sealed or seized, including 390 in Tulkarem, 368 in Jerusalem, and 242 in Jenin.
Human rights groups have decried the systematic violence, widely seen as annexation tactics.
TRUMP’S ROLE AS CHEER LEADER
Experts argue that settler attacks were further fueled by US President Donald Trump, who lifted sanctions on far-right settler organizations in the West Bank.
Trump gave a clean chit to people involved in violent attacks against Palestinians—including arson, property destruction, and assaults on civilians.
The IDF’s 'warning shots' against foreign diplomats drew widespread condemnation, calls for investigation, and the summoning of ambassadors.
Yet, global leaders have remained largely silent when Israel uses the same tactics to bully Palestinians, and run them out of their homes.
Will the diplomatic mission to assess the ground situation in West Bank serve its purpose, and finally pressure Israel to stop settler violence and military action against civilians?
