UK calls for investigation after IDF fired warning shots as British diplomats travelled through West Bank

The UK government is calling for Israel to launch an investigation after the country's troops fired warning shots while British diplomats were travelling through the West Bank.

Diplomats from Ireland, France, Germany and Turkey were also travelling with the delegation in the city of Jenin when the gunshots rang out on Wednesday.

All four countries have condemned the shooting, which comes after Western nations criticised Israel's latest offensive in Gaza.

Two British diplomats are understood to be among the group of around 20 people who have been confirmed as safe following the incident in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Footage shows the moment members of the delegation were gathered outside before fleeing the scene as the gunshots rang out.

Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer has described the incident in Jenin as "unacceptable".

He wrote on X: "I have spoken to our diplomats who were affected. Civilians must always be protected, and diplomats allowed to do their jobs. There must be a full investigation and those responsible should be held accountable."

Follow latest: Gaza conflict live updates

In response to the situation, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has announced measures, including financial restrictions and travel bans, targeting prominent settler leader Daniella Weiss and two other individuals.

The measures also target two illegal outposts and two organisations accused of backing violence against Palestinian communities.

It came after Ireland's deputy premier Simon Harris condemned the shooting in "the strongest terms" and France's foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said he would summon the Israeli ambassador over the incident.

Meanwhile, Turkey's foreign ministry said the shooting showed Israel's "systematic disregard for international law" and called for an immediate investigation.

Germany's foreign office had earlier condemned what it referred to as "unprovoked gunfire", adding: "We are fortunate that nothing worse occurred."

The Israeli military said the delegation had "deviated from the approved route" of their visit and Israel Defence Force (IDF) soldiers fired warning shots to push them from the area.

The IDF apologised and said it would contact all countries involved in the visit.

The shooting took place a day after the UK announced it would cease all talks of a trade deal with Israel, and summoned the country's ambassador to make clear Britain is unhappy with the situation in Gaza.

Hospitals in northern Gaza encircled by IDF

Elsewhere, staff and aid groups have said that two of northern Gaza's last functioning hospitals have been encircled by Israeli troops - preventing anyone from entering or leaving.

The Indonesian and al Awda hospitals are among the region's only remaining medical facilities, with both coming under fire this week.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the World Health Organisation, has warned Israel's military operations and evacuation orders "are stretching the health system beyond the breaking point".

Just 20 of the territory's 36 hospitals remain partially functioning - with centres in northern Gaza now said to be "at a serious risk of shutting down completely".

According to the WHO, there have been almost 700 attacks on medical facilities since the war began.

Israel's military has accused Hamas of using hospitals as command centres and to hide fighters, but has only provided evidence for some of these claims.

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UK unveils new aid package to Gaza

Elsewhere, UK ministers announced they will send £4m of aid to Gaza, including essential medicines, safe drinking water and food parcels.

Minister for development Jenny Chapman, who is visiting Israel and the occupied territories, said the lack of aid reaching Gazans is "appalling".

She added: "The Israeli government's failure to allow full humanitarian access to aid workers is abhorrent. Far too few trucks are crossing into Gaza.

"The UN has warned nearly half a million Palestinians, including children, are facing starvation.

"The UK is clear - Israel will not achieve security through prolonging the suffering of the Palestinian people."

It comes as British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said humanitarian aid needs to get into Gaza "at pace".

On Wednesday, Downing Street did not rule out more sanctions on Israeli ministers after a report said Number 10 and other countries were drawing up plans to target key figures in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

Sir Keir's official spokesman said he would not speculate on future sanctions but added it has been made clear that if Israel does not cease its military offensive and lift aid restrictions then the UK will take further "concrete actions".

The shooting in the West Bank came hours before the Israeli military said 100 aid trucks carrying flour, baby food and medical equipment had travelled from the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza.

The transfer of aid into Gaza has become an increasingly controversial topic over the last couple of days as the international community fears the territory is on the brink of famine.

The UN said earlier that no aid has been distributed in Gaza since Mr Netanyahu said an 11-week blockade on the territory had been lifted.

On Wednesday evening, the Israeli prime minister held a news conference where he said he would not allow European leaders to "influence" Israel after he was asked about the diplomatic row over the gunfire in Jenin and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

"We have to complete the war," Mr Netahayu said. "We are going to continue what is needed to end the war."

He said it was a "mark of shame" that Britain was sanctioning Israel and not Hamas, calling the sanctions an "absolutely horrible thing".

(c) Sky News 2025: UK calls for investigation after IDF fired warning shots as British diplomats travel