What's happened
A Jordanian man transporting aid from Jordan to Gaza opened fire at the Allenby crossing, killing two Israelis. The attacker was neutralised by security forces. The crossing remains closed to cargo, amid ongoing tensions and Israeli military operations in Gaza and the West Bank. The incident highlights ongoing security concerns at this key border point.
What's behind the headline?
The recent attack at Allenby underscores the persistent security risks at this strategic crossing, which is a rare point of entry for Palestinians and aid into Gaza. The incident reveals the ongoing volatility in the region, with armed individuals exploiting the border's vulnerabilities. The fact that the attacker was reportedly armed with both a gun and a knife, and arrived in a truck carrying humanitarian aid, suggests a calculated attempt to blend aid delivery with violence. This attack will likely lead to increased security measures and further closures, disrupting aid flows and Palestinian movement. The incident also exposes the fragile cooperation between Israel and Jordan, which is crucial for regional stability. The timing amid intensified Israeli military operations in Gaza and West Bank violence indicates a broader escalation of tensions, with potential repercussions for regional security and humanitarian aid logistics.
What the papers say
The Times of Israel reports that the attack occurred at the Allenby crossing, with the assailant arriving from Jordan in a truck carrying aid. The military confirmed the attacker was neutralised, and the crossing remains closed to cargo. The New Arab and Al Jazeera detail the attack, noting the attacker was armed with a gun and knife, and that two Israelis were killed. They highlight Jordanian authorities' ongoing investigation and the crossing's strategic importance. The NY Post emphasizes the attack's timing during Israeli military operations in Gaza, and the previous incident in September 2024, when a Jordanian driver killed three Israeli guards. All sources agree on the attack's details but differ slightly in emphasis, with some focusing on regional security implications and others on aid disruptions.
How we got here
The Allenby crossing, the West Bank’s only border with Jordan, has been a focal point of tension and violence. Previous attacks, including a deadly shooting in September 2024, have led to closures and heightened security. The crossing is vital for Palestinian travel and aid delivery, especially given restrictions on other routes and the ongoing conflict in Gaza since October 2023.
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More on these topics
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The Allenby Bridge, known officially in Jordan as the King Hussein Bridge, and also called Al-Karameh Bridge by Palestinian Arabs, is a bridge that crosses the Jordan River near the city of Jericho, and connects the West Bank with Jordan.
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Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is an Arab country in Western Asia, on the East Bank of the Jordan River. Jordan is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south and the east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and Israel and Palestine
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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The Israel Defense Forces, commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal, are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force, and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has
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The Magen David Adom is Israel's national emergency medical, disaster, ambulance and blood bank service. The name means "Red Shield of David".
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The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.
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Yair Lapid is an Israeli politician and former journalist serving as chairman of the Yesh Atid party and opposition leader in the Knesset. He served as Minister of Finance from 2013 to 2014. Before entering politics in 2012, Lapid was an author, TV presen
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The West Bank is a landlocked territory near the Mediterranean coast of Western Asia, bordered by Jordan to the east and by Israel to the south, west and north. The West Bank also contains a significant section of the western Dead Sea shore.