Israel has closed all border crossings with Jordan after an armed man killed three border guards at the King Hussein Bridge border crossing between the occupied West Bank and Jordan. The attacker arrived from Jordan, opened fire at the guards, and was subsequently eliminated by the Israeli military. This incident marks the first attack of its kind along the border with Jordan since Israel’s war on Gaza began.
The attack took place in a commercial cargo area where Jordanian trucks offload cargo entering the occupied West Bank. The truck driver exited the vehicle and opened fire, leading to the deaths of three security guards. This incident is considered a significant security breach, as the crossing is highly militarized and Palestinians are subjected to multiple searches and inspections before crossing.
The crossing is the only option for Palestinians to travel from the West Bank to Jordan. Despite the Oslo Agreement establishing joint patrols between Palestinians and Israelis at the border, the Israelis eventually took charge of the Palestinian side. Jordanian authorities are investigating the incident, and there has been no confirmation or denial of the attacker’s identity.
Israel and Jordan have a peace treaty and close security ties, with dozens of trailers crossing the border daily to supply goods to both the West Bank and Israeli markets. The incident adds tension to the region, coming after a recent Israeli military offensive in Gaza that drew condemnation for alleged war crimes. The situation highlights the ongoing complexity and challenges in the region’s geopolitical landscape.
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