ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s foreign ministry on Thursday strongly condemned what it said was an “attack” carried out by Israeli forces against a diplomatic delegation, comprising more than two-dozen representatives, near the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank. In a statement, the ministry expressed “Iraq's strongest condemnation of the attack carried out by the forces of the Zionist entity against an international diplomatic delegation consisting of 25 ambassadors and consuls during their visit to the Jenin camp, to examine the ongoing violations committed by the [Israeli] occupier forces.” The delegation included diplomats from European Union member-states, as well as the United Kingdom, Russia and China. Israeli forces on Thursday stated that they had fired “warning shots” in the air “to distance” the diplomatic delegation visiting Jenin, after they had deviated from an approved route. The Israeli military added that it “regrets the inconvenience caused.” Israeli security forces have been conducting a major operation against Palestinian armed groups in Jenin since January. While no injuries were reported, the incident sparked a wave of criticism from more than a dozen countries, including Iraq. Baghdad’s foreign ministry on Thursday stated that the targeting of diplomats “constitutes a blatant violation of international law and diplomatic norms,” and “reflects a clear disregard for the safety of international missions and a breach of the sanctity of diplomatic work.” The ministry further reiterated Iraq’s “full solidarity with the Palestinian people” and urged intensifying international efforts “to end the [Israeli] occupation” and allow the Palestinians to “establish an independent state.” Notably, on Saturday, Iraq pledged $20 million in aid for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, which has been devastated by nearly 600 days of on and off war. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani announced the pledge during his opening remarks at the 34th Arab League Summit, held over the weekend in Baghdad. He also called for “serious and responsible Arab action to save Gaza” and emphasized the need to reactivate the role of United Nations agencies in both Gaza and the West Bank.
