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BERLIN, May  21, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Germany "strongly condemned" Wednesday
what the Israeli military said were "warning shots" fired during a visit by
foreign diplomats, including one from Germany, to the occupied West Bank.

"The Israeli government must promptly investigate the circumstances," a
foreign ministry spokeswoman said, adding that Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul
would raise the "unprovoked shooting" with his Israeli counterpart

"The independent observer role of diplomats on the ground is indispensable
and in no way poses a threat to Israeli security interests," the spokeswoman
added.

The German diplomat was accompanied by a driver, and both were from the
country's Ramallah representative office, the ministry said.

 The Palestinian foreign ministry accused Israel of having "deliberately
targeted by live fire an accredited diplomatic delegation".

 The Israeli military said "the delegation deviated from the approved
route", prompting troops to fire "warning shots" to keep them away from "an
area where they were not authorised to be".

 The shooting drew condemnation at a time Israel faces mounting pressure to
allow aid into the war-battered Gaza Strip.

With its dark World War II history, Germany is one of Israel's staunchest
allies.

 Berlin has repeatedly stressed Israel's right to defend itself following
the attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas in October 2023 that triggered
the war in Gaza.

 Officials have however increasingly expressed concern over the conflict in
Gaza, where Palestinians are still desperate for supplies after a two-month aid
blockade was eased.