Jerusalem: The King Hussein Crossing, known in Israel as the Allenby Crossing, remained closed for a second day on Friday following a deadly shooting incident. This crossing, which serves as a key transit point between the occupied West Bank and Jordan, has been shut in both directions.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Palestinian General Authority for Crossings and Borders issued a statement indicating that Israeli authorities enforced the closure, resulting in buses carrying passengers being redirected back to Jericho. The closure has effectively halted all travel between Jordan and the West Bank.
The decision to close the crossing came on the heels of a shooting that resulted in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed these fatalities during a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, as reported by KAN. The assailant, reportedly driving a humanitarian aid truck destined for Gaza, opened fire at the crossing. Although he was shot and wounded at the scene, his current condition remains unconfirmed.
During the Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu criticized Jordan for not preventing the attack, stating, "I demand that from now on, the drivers pass through metal detectors and that the trucks undergo thorough inspection. It was Jordan's responsibility to prevent the attack, and it did not do so."
Meanwhile, the Israeli army has continued its military operations in the Gaza Strip, which have resulted in significant casualties and humanitarian challenges. Since October 2023, more than 65,100 Palestinians have lost their lives due to the ongoing conflict. The military actions have severely impacted the region, leading to widespread devastation and famine.
This incident mirrors a previous attack in September 2024, where three Israelis were killed by a Jordanian truck driver at the same crossing. Jordan, which shares three border crossings with Israel, including the Sheikh Hussein (Jordan River) Bridge and Wadi Araba (Yitzhak Rabin) Crossing, now faces increased scrutiny over its security measures at these transit points.