Three Israeli Security Guards Killed in Attack at Allenby Bridge Border Crossing.
West Bank:
Three Israeli security guards were shot dead at the Allenby Bridge border crossing between Jordan and the occupied West Bank on Friday. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the attacker approached the crossing in a truck from the Jordanian side, exited the vehicle, and opened fire before being shot by security personnel.
The IDF has confirmed that the victims were security guards not affiliated with the military or police. The attacker was neutralized, and the truck was checked for explosives. Jordanian authorities are investigating the incident, which occurred in an Israeli-controlled area where Jordanian trucks offload goods into the West Bank.
In response to the attack, Israel has closed all its land crossings with Jordan. The Allenby Bridge, also known as the King Hussein Bridge, is the only official crossing between the West Bank and Jordan that does not pass through Israeli territory. It is crucial for the daily transport of goods.
Jordanian truck drivers in the offloading area were detained for questioning by the Israeli military. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack as a “loathsome” act of terrorism and expressed condolences to the victims’ families. The attack has not been claimed by any group, though Hamas has described it as a “natural response” to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The violence comes amid escalating tensions in the West Bank and Gaza. Since Hamas’s recent attack on Israel, more than 600 Palestinians have died in West Bank violence, while at least 18 Israelis have been killed, according to UN figures.
The incident adds to the ongoing instability in the region, with recent Israeli operations in Jenin highlighting the intensified conflict. The IDF has stated that its actions are aimed at curbing Palestinian attacks and combating terrorism.
