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LONDON

Ireland on Wednesday issued a sharp condemnation following reports that Israeli forces opened fire near a diplomatic delegation visiting the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank.

The delegation included two Irish diplomats based in Ramallah who were present when gunfire was reportedly discharged by the Israeli army, also called IDF, in the vicinity of the camp, said Simon Harris, Ireland’s tanaiste (deputy prime minister) and minister for foreign affairs, trade, and defense.

"I am shocked and appalled at reports that the IDF fired shots in the vicinity of a visit to Jenin today by a group of diplomats, including two Irish diplomats based in Ramallah. Fortunately, no-one was hurt. This is completely unacceptable and I condemn it in the strongest terms," Harris said in an official statement.

Ireland has long advocated for adherence to international law in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and frequently called for the protection of civilians and diplomatic personnel.

The delegation included diplomats from several EU member states plus Türkiye, the UK, Russia, China, India, Brazil, and Japan, along with representatives from several other countries, according to official Palestinian news agency Wafa.

Israel recently escalated its genocidal war in Gaza, launching a large-scale ground operation aimed at seizing control of most of the enclave and accelerating Palestinian displacement. The offensive coincided with US President Donald Trump’s Gulf tour last week.

Ignoring mounting international pressure, Israel has tightened its blockade on Gaza, leading to the deaths and injuries of hundreds in recent days.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said earlier Wednesday that thousands of innocent Palestinians were being killed, calling Israel’s actions in Gaza “close to a war crime.”

Yair Golan, leader of the Israeli Democrats Party, also condemned the killing of children by Israeli forces and the ongoing policy of forced displacement, warning that Israel risks becoming a “pariah state” if it does not act responsibly.

On March 2, Israel began a strict blockade on Gaza, denying entry to humanitarian aid and pushing the territory into famine, which has already claimed numerous lives. It only recently relaxed the blockade to let in a trickle of aid, a step aid groups call wholly inadequate.

Rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, the Israeli army has pursued a brutal offensive against Gaza since October 2023, killing nearly 54,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children.