Shootings of foreign diplomats in the occupied West Bank: international condemnation, Israel acknowledges warning shots | LIVE

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Israel 'crushed' refugee camps in northern West Bank, says Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu boasted that the Israeli army "crushed" Palestinian refugee camps in the northern West Bank targeted by a major offensive against Palestinian armed groups.

"We entered the refugee camps simultaneously and crushed them," Netanyahu said at a press conference, referring to the Jenin, Tulkarm and Nur Shams camps, whose populations Israel forced to evacuate in February.

Israel said that 100 trucks of U.N. aid entered Gaza on Wednesday. 

Gaza offensive: Netanyahu gives mixed signals on the fate of the hostages

Israel is ready to accept a "temporary cease-fire" that would allow the release of hostages in Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, while adding that the army would control "the entire Gaza Strip" after the current offensive.

"If there is an option for a temporary cease-fire to release hostages, we will be ready," Netanyahu said at a press conference in Jerusalem, adding that 20 of the 58 hostages still in Gaza were "definitely alive."

"The entire Gaza Strip will be under the control of the Israeli army" at the end of the major offensive launched Saturday with the stated aim of freeing the hostages and destroying Hamas, he added.

However, "we must avoid a humanitarian crisis in order to maintain our operational freedom of action," he said, as the spread of fighting and restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid after two and a half months of a total blockade have sparked a wave of international condemnation.

The Israeli army intercepted a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip, according to a military statement, after warning sirens sounded in areas of southern Israel.

"Following alerts in the Lakhish region, a projectile that crossed the border from the northern Gaza Strip was intercepted by the air force," the statement said, as the Israeli military campaign on the Gaza Strip intensified since Saturday.

The Health Ministry confirmed the death of one person in Aitaroun (Bint Jbeil) in an Israeli drone strike.

According to al-Manar, an Israeli patrol protected by tanks entered Lebanese territory near Wadi Hounin, south of the town of Odaisseh (Marjayoun). This information was also reported by L'Orient Today's correspondent.

One dead in Aitaroun

An Israeli drone strike targeted a motorcycle in Aitaroun (Bint Jbeil), killing its driver, according to information from L'Orient Today's correspondent in south Lebanon.

Artillery fire was also reported in the hills of Shebaa and Kfar Shouba (Hasbaya). 

Any threat to the lives of diplomats is "unacceptable," says Kallas

Any threat to the lives of diplomats is "unacceptable," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in Brussels, after the Israeli army fired warning shots at diplomats in the West Bank.

"We call on Israel to investigate this incident and hold those responsible to account," she added to the press.

Turkey demands immediate 'investigation' after shooting during diplomatic visit

Turkey called for an immediate investigation into Israeli gunfire during a diplomatic visit to the West Bank, which it "condemns in the strongest terms," ​​according to the Foreign Ministry.

"This attack must be investigated without delay and the perpetrators must be held accountable," the ministry said in a statement, adding that "an employee of the Turkish Consulate General in Jerusalem" was with the group.

Portugal summons Israeli ambassador

Portugal summoned the Israeli ambassador to protest Israeli gunfire during a visit by foreign diplomats to the West Bank, the Portuguese foreign minister announced.

"Following this incident, which calls into question international law, the Israeli ambassador to Portugal has already been summoned," the ministry said in a statement, adding that it "strongly condemned" the shooting, adding that a Portuguese national was among the group of foreign diplomats.

France to summon Israeli ambassador

France will summon the Israeli ambassador after "unacceptable" gunfire, described as warning shots by the Israeli army, targeted diplomats, including a Frenchman, visiting the West Bank, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated.

"A visit to Jenin, in which one of our diplomats was participating, came under fire from Israeli soldiers. This is unacceptable. The Israeli ambassador will be summoned to explain. Full support for our agents on the ground and their remarkable work in trying conditions," the minister wrote on X.

Spain summons the chargé d'affaires of the Israeli embassy

Spain will summon the chargé d'affaires of the Israeli embassy in Madrid, due to the lack of an ambassador currently stationed in Spain, to protest Israeli gunfire during a visit by foreign diplomats to the West Bank, the Spanish foreign minister announced.

"Faced with the intolerable shootings by the Israeli army during the visit of diplomats from Spain, the EU, and other countries, we are summoning the head of the Israeli embassy in Madrid and demanding clarification and accountability," José Manuel Albares said on X. A ministry source previously confirmed to AFP the summons of the embassy's chargé d'affaires.

Egypt condemns Israeli shooting in occupied West Bank 

Egypt condemned "in the strongest terms" the Israeli shooting in the occupied West Bank at an international delegation of diplomats "visiting Jenin at the invitation of the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

Egypt "demands that Israel provide all necessary clarifications" on the circumstances of "this incident, which is contrary to all diplomatic norms," ​​the Foreign Ministry said in a statement, specifying that the Egyptian ambassador to Ramallah was part of the delegation.

The Israeli army's Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, posted on X about the strike in Yater, claiming that a "commander in the Radwan Force," Hezbollah's elite unit, was killed. A few days earlier, on May 19, the Israeli army claimed to have eliminated "a member of the Radwan Force" in an attack in Houla.

Shootings in the West Bank: Belgium demands "convincing explanations" from Israel

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot has demanded "convincing explanations" from Israel after Israeli soldiers fired warning shots at "around twenty diplomats" in the occupied West Bank, including a Belgian.

"He's fine, fortunately," Prévot added on X about his national. "These diplomats were on an official visit to Jenin, which had been coordinated with the Israeli army, in a convoy of about 20 clearly identifiable vehicles," the head of Belgian diplomacy protested, according to AFP.

Shootings in the West Bank: Rome summons the Israeli ambassador

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced the summons of the Israeli ambassador to Italy to demand "an official explanation" after the Israeli army fired warning shots at diplomats in the West Bank.

"I have just given instructions ... to summon the Israeli ambassador to Rome to receive an official explanation of what happened in Jenin," he wrote on X after earlier denouncing "unacceptable" threats.

Spain strongly condemns Israeli gunfire at diplomats in West Bank

Spanish Foreign Affairs Ministry strongly condemned the Israeli army's gunfire at foreign diplomats participating in a visit organized by the Palestinian Authority in Jenin, northern occupied West Bank.

"The ministry is investigating what happened. There was a Spanish national in the group, who is in good health. We are in contact with other concerned countries to provide a joint response to the incident, which we condemn strongly," the ministry stated in a brief statement to AFP.

Italian Foreign Minister condemns Israeli gunfire at diplomats in West Bank

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned Israeli military's gunfire at diplomats in the West Bank as "unacceptable." Tajani demanded immediate clarification from the Israeli government on the incident. "Threats against diplomats are unacceptable," he stated in a message on X, as reported by AFP.

Germany defends EU-Israel association agreement amid calls for revision

The German government defended the EU-Israel association agreement, describing it as an important forum for discussing key issues, particularly the situation in Gaza. Despite widespread support within the EU for revising the agreement, Germany emphasized the importance of utilizing the agreement to address crucial matters, according to spokesperson Christian Wagner.

Israeli army admits warning shots fired at diplomats in Jenin

The Israeli military admitted to firing warning shots at a group of diplomats in Jenin after they "deviated from the approved route" during a visit organized by the Palestinian Authority. The army acknowledged the incident and stated it would meet with the diplomats soon to address the issue.

Aoun and Abbas assert no more weapons outside state control in Lebanon

Following their meeting, Presidents Aoun and Abbas declared that the era of weapons outside the control of the Lebanese state is over. They reaffirmed that Lebanon will ensure state authority over all territories, including Palestinian refugee camps. This statement comes as part of Abbas' visit focused on the disarmament of these camps.

Aoun and Abbas condemn Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Gaza

Lebanese President Aoun and Palestinian President Abbas condemned ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanon, calling for international pressure, particularly from the U.S. and France, to ensure the implementation of the 2024 cease-fire agreement. They also condemned the Israeli offensive on Gaza, describing it as causing unprecedented human loss and a humanitarian catastrophe, urging immediate international action to protect Palestinian civilians.

Hezbollah member killed in Ain Baal was an 'engineer' and weapons expert, says Israel

Commenting on the Israeli drone strike that killed a Hezbollah member this morning in Ain Baal, southern Lebanon's Sour district, Israeli army Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee said Hussein Nazih Bourji was an "expert in weapons production" and served as an "engineer" responsible for the group's research, development, and manufacturing of its arsenal.

According to Adraee, Bourji played a key role in developing infrastructure for the production of precision-guided surface-to-surface missiles and in rebuilding Hezbollah’s military capabilities.

Upon his arrival in Beirut, President Mahmoud Abbas headed to the presidential palace in Baabda, where he held talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

Health Ministry confirms one Killed in Yater strike

Lebanon’s Health Ministry confirmed in a brief statement that an Israeli drone strike targeting a man in a construction vehicle in Yater (Sour) killed one person and injured another.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has arrived in Beirut, where he was received at the airport by Lebanese Foreign Minister Joe Raggi.

Abbas is in Lebanon for a three-day visit, during which he is expected to focus primarily on the issue of disarming Palestinian camps.

Man injured in an Israeli drone strike in Yater has succumbed to his injuries, according to our correspondent.

The victim, Ali Hassan Soueidane, was clearing the rubble of his home, destroyed in an earlier Israeli strike, when the bulldozer he was in was hit by the Israeli missile.

This marks the second Lebanese fatality from Israeli airstrikes since this morning.

South Lebanon

Israeli drone dropped sound bombs over the Marej neighborhood in the village of Kfarshouba (Hasbaya district). Another drone targeted a bulldozer in the village of Yater (Bint Jbeil), injuring one person, according to our correspondent.

Israeli protesters block Gaza aid at Kerem Shalom crossing

A group of Israeli protesters attempted to block humanitarian aid from entering Gaza at the Kerem Shalom crossing, according to Arutz Sheva or Israel National News. Protester Reut Ben Haim called it “unimaginable injustice” to send aid while Israeli hostages remain in Hamas custody. Another protester, Asriel Machlev, said allowing aid was “national suicide” and vowed continued action. Police arrested some demonstrators.

Despite Israel's pledge to ease the blockade, only limited aid has reached Gaza. U.N. and rights groups accuse Israel of using hunger as a weapon, warning of mass starvation, Al-Jazeera reports.

Gaza

Pope Leo XIV calls for allowing "decent humanitarian aid" in, reports AFP.

Olmert calls for immediate end to Gaza war

“This war must end immediately,” former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the BBC, speaking about the Gaza conflict. In the interview, Olmert, a vocal critic of Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that “only a territorial compromise can save Israel from a dark future.”

Gaza: MSF says Israeli aid is 'woefully insufficient' and a 'smoke screen'

The NGO Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) has accused Israel of allowing only a “woefully insufficient” amount of aid into Gaza, merely to avoid being blamed for imposing famine on the population.

“This plan is a way to weaponize aid, turning it into a tool to serve the military objectives of Israeli forces,” said Pascale Coissard, MSF emergency coordinator in Khan Younis, in a statement.

☕Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the unfolding situation in the Middle East. Israel has intensified its military offensive in Gaza, resulting in dozens of casualties in recent days.

Catch up on everything you missed yesterday by reading our Morning Brief.

19 Killed overnight in Israeli strikes on Gaza

Gaza’s Civil Defense reported 19 people killed — mostly children — during Israeli airstrikes overnight. This follows Tuesday’s strikes, which killed at least 44 people, primarily women and children. The Israeli military has escalated its offensive, aiming to eliminate Hamas and recover hostages.

Attack on Russian base in Syria

A group linked to Syrian authorities reportedly attacked Russia’s Hmeimim Air Base in Latakia, which also hosts about 2,500 refugees, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). The attackers briefly infiltrated the base, leading to heavy clashes and the sounding of alert sirens. The attack lasted roughly an hour, though no casualties were reported.

Khamenei skeptical of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed doubts over the success of ongoing nuclear talks with the U.S., calling the negotiations unlikely to yield results. The talks, mediated by Oman, began on April 12. Khamenei criticized any denial of Iran’s right to enrich uranium as a "major mistake."

Israel recalls negotiators from Doha

Israel has recalled its lead negotiators from Doha "for consultations" but left a working team in the Qatari capital. According to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, Israel had accepted a U.S. proposal for a hostage release deal, which was relayed to Hamas via Egypt and Qatar. Hamas has reportedly refused the terms.

Gaza: European pressure mounts on Israel

European countries increased pressure on Israel to halt its Gaza offensive and allow more humanitarian aid into the war-torn enclave. On Tuesday, Israel announced the entry of 93 U.N. aid trucks into Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing. In response to the worsening humanitarian crisis, the EU will review its 2000 association agreement with Israel, particularly Article 2, which relates to human rights. Seventeen EU member states back the review.

The UK suspended free trade negotiations with Israel.

One killed in Israeli drone strike in South Lebanon

An Israeli drone strike targeted a van in the village of Ain Baal in South Lebanon’s Sour district, killing one person. The vehicle caught fire after being hit, according to rescue workers on the scene, contacted by our correspondent.

Abbas to arrive in Lebanon today

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to arrive in Beirut at 1:00 p.m. for a three-day visit, the Lebanese presidency confirmed. He will be received by Foreign Minister Joe Raggi and head directly to Baabda Palace. On Thursday, Abbas is set to meet Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. One key agenda item is the disarmament of Palestinians in refugee camps in Lebanon.

UAE-Israel aid deal for Gaza

United Arab Emirates has reached an agreement with Israel to allow the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip, according to the UAE’s official news agency WAM. UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al- Nahyan held a phone call with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, resulting in an agreement to send aid covering the needs of about 15,000 people in an initial phase.