Israeli Soldiers Fire Near Diplomats on Visit to Occupied West Bank

This frame grab from AFPTV footage shows members of a diplomatic delegation from the European Union reacting after shots were fired as they gathered in the eastern entrance of Jenin camp during a visit to the city of Jenin, on May 21, 2025, amid an ongoing Israeli military offensive in the occupied West Bank. (AFPTV / AFP)
This frame grab from AFPTV footage shows members of a diplomatic delegation from the European Union reacting after shots were fired as they gathered in the eastern entrance of Jenin camp during a visit to the city of Jenin, on May 21, 2025, amid an ongoing Israeli military offensive in the occupied West Bank. (AFPTV / AFP)
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Israeli Soldiers Fire Near Diplomats on Visit to Occupied West Bank

This frame grab from AFPTV footage shows members of a diplomatic delegation from the European Union reacting after shots were fired as they gathered in the eastern entrance of Jenin camp during a visit to the city of Jenin, on May 21, 2025, amid an ongoing Israeli military offensive in the occupied West Bank. (AFPTV / AFP)
This frame grab from AFPTV footage shows members of a diplomatic delegation from the European Union reacting after shots were fired as they gathered in the eastern entrance of Jenin camp during a visit to the city of Jenin, on May 21, 2025, amid an ongoing Israeli military offensive in the occupied West Bank. (AFPTV / AFP)

The Israeli military said that it fired near a diplomatic delegation which it said deviated from an approved route in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday.

Diplomatic sources said European diplomats were part of the delegation to the West Bank city of Jenin.

The military said "the delegation deviated from the approved route and entered an area where they were not authorized to be" and that soldiers fired "warning shots to distance them away."

No injuries or damage were reported, the military said.

The EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said she had heard about the incident which happened on a visit by diplomats organized by the Palestinian Authority.

"We definitely call on Israel to investigate this incident and also held these accountable who are responsible for this and any threats on diplomats' lives," she said.

The Spanish Foreign Ministry said a Spaniard was among the group of diplomats, who was unhurt.

"We are in contact with other affected countries to jointly coordinate a response to what happened, which we strongly condemn," it said in a statement.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on X that Israel's ambassador to Rome would be summoned to explain.

Footage on Israeli television showed individuals running to vehicles with diplomatic license plates as shots were heard in the distance.

The Palestinian Authority's Foreign Ministry said "the delegation was undertaking an official mission to observe and assess the humanitarian situation and document the ongoing violations perpetrated by" Israel. The ministry called the Israeli military's actions a violation of international law.

The Israeli military has killed dozens of Palestinians and destroyed many homes in the West Bank since it launched an operation in January in the city of Jenin to root out gunmen.  

Germany's foreign ministry condemned what it called "unprovoked firing" on Wednesday by the Israeli army.

The delegation included a German diplomat and a driver from the representative office in Ramallah, the ministry said in a statement.

The delegation was officially registered and was conducting diplomatic activities in coordination with both the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli Army, the statement said.

"The Israeli government must immediately clarify the circumstances and respect the inviolability of diplomats," it said.

Türkiye's foreign ministry condemned "in the strongest terms" the firing of gunshots on diplomats, including from Türkiye, adding Ankara was calling for an immediate investigation and accountability.

"This attack, which endangered the lives of diplomats, is yet another demonstration of Israel's systematic disregard for international law and human rights," the ministry said in a statement, adding a diplomat from its consulate in Jerusalem was part of the group.

"The targeting of diplomats constitutes a grave threat not only to individual safety but also to the mutual respect and trust that form the foundation of inter-state relations."



Lebanon: Security Forces Continue Crackdown on Individuals Carrying Unauthorized Arms

Mourners gather around the Hezbollah-draped coffins of people killed in Israeli airstrikes on Baalbek, during their funeral in the city of Baalbek, in Bekaa valley, Lebanon, 05 March 2026. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
Mourners gather around the Hezbollah-draped coffins of people killed in Israeli airstrikes on Baalbek, during their funeral in the city of Baalbek, in Bekaa valley, Lebanon, 05 March 2026. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
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Lebanon: Security Forces Continue Crackdown on Individuals Carrying Unauthorized Arms

Mourners gather around the Hezbollah-draped coffins of people killed in Israeli airstrikes on Baalbek, during their funeral in the city of Baalbek, in Bekaa valley, Lebanon, 05 March 2026. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
Mourners gather around the Hezbollah-draped coffins of people killed in Israeli airstrikes on Baalbek, during their funeral in the city of Baalbek, in Bekaa valley, Lebanon, 05 March 2026. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

A judicial source said 23 people, including Hezbollah members and civilians, have been arrested so far following a government decision to ban military actions by the party.

The arrests have been made across Lebanon after individual weapons, machine guns, and various types of military equipment were found in their possession.

The detainees are being questioned by army intelligence and the military police, under the supervision of the government commissioner to the military court, Judge Claude Ghanem, the source told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Investigations with five suspects have concluded and they have been referred to the military judiciary ahead of legal proceedings.

The shift extends beyond the number of arrests to the procedures themselves. Before the government ban, courts often limited action to confiscating the weapon and leaving the armed individual under investigation or releasing him after a pledge not to repeat the violation.

That approach has now changed. Authorities confiscate the weapon and detain the person regardless of identity or political affiliation, which is a clear sign of official determination to enforce the government decision without exception, including for Hezbollah members.

Despite the tougher stance, the identity of those launching rockets and drones toward Israel remains unknown. Security agencies are working to identify those responsible for the launches, which constitute a direct breach of the cabinet decision.

No arrests have been announced in connection with rocket or drone launches so far, security sources told Asharq Al-Awsat. Arrests linked to the transportation of weapons, however, are occurring daily as part of a wide security plan covering all regions.

In recent hours, security agencies apprehended individuals transporting a Kornet anti-tank missile, a destructive weapon capable of striking armored targets with precision.

The seizures reflect growing official and public concern, highlighting the scale of the security challenge and the pressure on authorities to enforce the government’s strict decision.

Most of those detained were stopped while traveling with convoys of displaced people from the south and the Bekaa. Security sources said the presence of armed individuals among displaced civilians poses a risk to the safety of shelters and raises concern among host communities.

Authorities fear such individuals could be targeted by Israeli strikes inside shelters, while tensions could also arise with host communities in Beirut, Mount Lebanon and other areas.

Judicial and security agencies have intensified coordination at the highest levels. Sources from both sides say investigations are exploring every possible lead that could expose networks involved in transporting weapons or launching rockets.

The military prosecution is closely monitoring the preliminary investigations but is carefully reviewing reports before filing charges, the judicial source said.

Launching judicial proceedings requires evidence strong enough to support suspicions, a process that can delay the announcement of results and the full number of arrests.


Israel Far-right Minister Warns Beirut Suburb Faces Devastation Like Gaza

Fires erupt from buildings damaged in an early morning Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs on March 3, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
Fires erupt from buildings damaged in an early morning Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs on March 3, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
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Israel Far-right Minister Warns Beirut Suburb Faces Devastation Like Gaza

Fires erupt from buildings damaged in an early morning Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs on March 3, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
Fires erupt from buildings damaged in an early morning Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs on March 3, 2026. (Photo by AFP)

Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich warned Thursday that a southern Beirut suburb, a stronghold of Hezbollah, will face devastation similar to Gaza after the Israeli military told residents to evacuate.

"Very soon Dahiyeh will resemble Khan Yunis," Smotrich said, referring to a southern Gaza city which has been heavily damaged by Israeli bombardments during the two-year war with Hamas, AFP reported.

"Hezbollah made a mistake, and it will pay a heavy price. We are striking at the head of the octopus in Iran, and at the same time we will sever Hezbollah's arm," he said in a video statement as he visited Israel's northern border.


HRW Says Israel's Lebanon Evacuation Risks Violating Laws of War

Smoke rises after an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs, following an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, Lebanon, March 4, 2026. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi
Smoke rises after an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs, following an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, Lebanon, March 4, 2026. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi
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HRW Says Israel's Lebanon Evacuation Risks Violating Laws of War

Smoke rises after an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs, following an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, Lebanon, March 4, 2026. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi
Smoke rises after an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs, following an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, Lebanon, March 4, 2026. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi

Human Rights Watch said on Thursday that the Israeli military's call for residents of vast areas of southern Lebanon to evacuate raised "serious risks of violations of the laws of war".

Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war when Iran-backed Hezbollah began firing rockets at Israel with Israel conducting air strikes across the country and its troops pushing into border towns.

On Thursday, Israel renewed its warning to residents of hundreds of square kilometres (miles) of southern Lebanon to evacuate because of military action, AFP reported.

"Calling on everyone who lives south of the Litani (River) to evacuate immediately raises serious legal and humanitarian red flags and fears for the safety of civilians," said Ramzi Kaiss, Lebanon researcher at Human Rights Watch.

"How are older people, the sick and people with disabilities going to be able to evacuate immediately? And how will their safety be guaranteed as they leave?" he said in a statement from the rights group.

HRW said "the sweeping nature" of Israel's call raised "concerns that their purpose is not to protect civilians", adding that the area was home to hundreds of thousands of people.

The evacuation call "raises serious risks of violations of the laws of war", it added.

Lebanese authorities said dozens of people have been killed and tens of thousands displaced from their homes since Monday.