IDF forces in the Jenin refugee camp on Wednesday fired warning shots in the air during a tour of a delegation of foreign diplomats in the city, causing them to flee the area.

According to Palestinian reports, the delegation included 25 representatives from European and Arab countries.

Yisrael Hayom reported that the delegation was provided with an approved route as the area is considered an active combat zone. Nevertheless, the delegation deviated from the route and approached an area banned to civilians, causing the IDF soldiers to suspect the delegation members were terror suspects.

The commander of the Yehudah and Shomron Division immediately investigated the incident and ordered IDF representatives to hold diplomatic contacts with international diplomats to explain the incident.

The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that the delegation included the ambassadors of Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, the European Union, Portugal, China, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Turkey, Spain, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Turkey, Japan, Romania, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Canada, India, Chile, France, Britain, and several representatives from other countries.

The Jenin refugee camp, where terrorism has thrived in recent years, has been under total IDF control for several months now. Several dozen IDF soldiers, backed by Border Police soldiers, remain permanently in the camp and any civilians in the area are considered terror suspects.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)