France’s foreign minister refused to enter a French-administered holy site in Jerusalem on Thursday because of the presence of Israeli security forces, who briefly detained two French officials in the latest diplomatic episode between the two countries.

The incident, which comes amid strained diplomatic relations over Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, came as Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barro was due to visit the Pater Noster church on the Mount of Olives.

“During the visit, an argument arose between Israeli security forces and two French security guards,” Israel’s foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that they were released immediately after identifying themselves as diplomats.

The Israeli ministry added that each foreign leader is accompanied by his security personnel, an issue that “was clarified in advance in the preparatory dialogue with the French embassy in Israel.”

The complex, called Eleona in French, also houses a monastery and is under French administration.

“This violation of a site under French responsibility risks undermining the ties I had come to cultivate with Israel at a time when we all need to move the region forward on the road to peace,” Barro said.

Israel’s ambassador to Paris will be summoned in the coming days, it said in a statement.