UN slams Israel's 'unacceptable' fire while diplomats in West Bank

Israel's firing of what it has called "warning shots" during a visit by diplomats to the occupied West Bank was "unacceptable," a spokesman for United Nations chief Antonio Guterres said Wednesday.

"It is clear that diplomats who are doing their work should never be shot at, attacked in any way, shape or form. Their safety, their viability, must be respected at all times," the spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, told reporters.

"These diplomats, including UN personnel, were fired at, warning shots or whatever... which is unacceptable," he added.

The Israeli military acknowledged it had fired the shots Wednesday during a visit organized by the Palestinian Authority of foreign diplomats to Jenin.

It said it "regrets the inconvenience caused" by the shooting, which resulted in no injuries.

"We urge the Israeli authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, to share those findings with us and to take any measures that would prevent any other such incident to take place," Dujarric said.