IDF apologizes after troops fire warning shots as foreign diplomats visit Jenin, says they deviated from agreed route

The IDF apologizes for firing warning shots in the air as a group of foreign diplomats visited the West Bank city of Jenin earlier today.

Still, the IDF says that the group did not follow the route that was agreed upon when the tour was coordinated with the army.

“When coordinating the entry [to Jenin], members of the delegation were provided an approved route that they were instructed to follow due to the area being an active combat zone,” the army says.

According to the IDF, the group “deviated from the route and entered an area where they were not authorized to be.” Troops stationed there fired warning shots in the air, causing no damage or injuries.

Upon realizing that the group that reached the prohibited area was the foreign diplomats, the IDF says the commander of the West Bank division, Brig. Gen. Yaki Dolf, immediately launched an inquiry into the incident.

Additionally, Brig. Gen. Hisham Ibrahim, the head of the Civil Administration — a Defense Ministry body part of COGAT — ordered officers in the unit to immediately speak with representatives of the countries involved. “He will soon hold personal conversations with the diplomats to update them on the findings of the initial inquiry,” the IDF says.

“The IDF regrets the inconvenience caused,” it adds.