Gunman shoots 3 Israelis dead at Jordan-West Bank border crossing

A gunman shot dead three Israelis at the Allenby Bridge border crossing between Jordan and the Israeli-occupied West Bank Sunday.

Israeli security forces shot and killed the attacker after he exited a truck and opened fire in a cargo area controlled by Israel.

Details of attack

According to the Israeli army, the gunman entered the crossing, also known as the King Hussein Bridge, from the Jordanian side in a truck. He fired shots at Israeli security forces before being killed.

IDF: Following the initial report, a short while ago a terrorist approached the area of the Allenby Bridge from Jordan in a truck, exited the truck, and opened fire at the Israeli security forces operating at the bridge.

The terrorist was eliminated by the security forces,…

— Israel ישראל (@Israel) September 8, 2024

The attack resulted in the deaths of three Israeli civilians. Israeli military medical personnel attempted resuscitation, but all three were reported dead at the scene.

Following the initial report, a short while ago a terrorist approached the area of the Allenby Bridge from Jordan in a truck, exited the truck, and opened fire at the Israeli security forces operating at the bridge. The terrorist was eliminated by the security forces, three Israeli civilians were pronounced dead as a result of the attack. IDF soldiers were dispatched to the scene and are currently operating to rule out the suspicion of the truck being rigged with explosives, further details to follow.

Official Statement

The Israeli army is conducting security searches to rule out the possibility that the gunman’s truck was rigged with explosives.

Authorities are also investigating the circumstances of the attack.

Crossing closed for investigation

Following the attack, both Israel and Jordan closed the Allenby Bridge crossing until further notice. The Jordanian interior ministry confirmed the closure as part of the ongoing investigation.

The crossing is a vital route for cargo entering the West Bank from Jordan, with Jordanian trucks typically offloading goods in the Israel-controlled area.

“Three Israeli civilians were pronounced dead as a result of the attack,” the military said, later clarifying to Agence France-Presse (AFP) that they were “working as security guards” and not part of the army or police forces.

Rising tensions amid Gaza conflict

The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Jordan, fueled by the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Jordan has expressed concerns about its internal security and civil peace as the conflict continues, following the Hamas attack on Israel, which led to 1,200 deaths and multiple abductions.

Israel’s retaliation in Gaza, which resulted in over 40,000 people, most of them civilians being killed by Israel has drawn sharp criticism from Jordan and the international community.