Tragic Shooting at Allenby Bridge: Three Israeli Civilians Killed

Tragic Attack at the Allenby Bridge Crossing

A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday when a gunman opened fire, resulting in the deaths of three Israeli civilians at the sensitive Allenby Bridge border crossing between Jordan and the Israeli-occupied West Bank, as reported by the Israeli military.

The assailant arrived at the Israeli-controlled section of the crossing in a truck and initiated gunfire against Israeli security forces, according to a military statement. The identity of the gunman has not been disclosed, but it is confirmed that he was killed on-site. The victims, all civilians, were described by Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency rescue service, as being in their 50s.

This crossing, located near the West Bank city of Jericho, serves as a vital travel route for many Palestinians seeking to go abroad and has also facilitated the entry of humanitarian aid into the war-torn Gaza Strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the act, labeling the gunman an “abhorrent terrorist,” and extended heartfelt condolences to the families affected by this tragedy.

The circumstances surrounding how the assailant managed to smuggle a weapon into the Israeli-controlled area of the crossing remain unclear. Following the attack, the Israel Airports Authority announced the closure of the Allenby Bridge, alongside two other land crossings between Israel and Jordan.

In response to the incident, Jordan’s Interior Ministry stated that it had launched an investigation into the shooting. Meanwhile, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry has yet to provide a comment regarding the situation.

Jordan, which has a population predominantly comprised of people of Palestinian descent, has witnessed significant protests against the ongoing war in Gaza since hostilities erupted in October. Despite being a close ally of the United States and maintaining a peace treaty with Israel, Jordan finds itself in a complex position as it navigates the repercussions of the conflict.

In November, Jordan recalled its ambassador to Israel and has consistently condemned Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. Notably, King Abdullah II has emerged as a prominent advocate for a cease-fire in the region.

Despite these tensions, Jordan has preserved its fragile peace treaty with Israel and continues to engage in cooperation on security and economic matters. In a recent development, Jordan played a crucial role in intercepting Iranian missiles and drones during escalating attacks between Iran and Israel—an action that was appreciated by Israeli officials but met with disapproval from some Palestinian factions.

The Allenby Bridge crossing has a history of violence; in 2014, Israeli soldiers fatally shot a Jordanian judge of Palestinian origin at this very site, intensifying the already fraught relations between the two neighboring nations. Additionally, in 2023, a Jordanian parliament member faced charges in a Jordanian court for attempting to smuggle weapons through the crossing into the West Bank, as reported by The Associated Press.

It is essential to note that Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, following its capture from Jordan during the Arab-Israeli War of that year.

Additional reporting by Gabby Sobelman.