Jerusalem — Three Israeli civilians were killed in a shooting attack at the Allenby Bridge crossing between Jordan and the occupied West Bank on September 8. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) identified the attacker as Maher Jazi, a 39-year-old Jordanian truck driver.
The incident, which occurred in an Israeli-controlled area, has prompted a significant security response and a temporary closure of all land crossings between Israel and Jordan.
According to the IDF, Jazi approached the border crossing in a truck, exited the vehicle, and opened fire on security personnel. The assailant was swiftly “eliminated” by Israeli forces. The IDF has since conducted a thorough inspection of the truck for any explosives.
The three victims have been named as Yohanan Shchori, 61, Yuri Birnbaum, 65, and Adrian Marcelo Podzamczer, whose age was not disclosed. They were reportedly guards at the border crossing, although they were not military or police personnel.
The Allenby Bridge, also known as the King Hussein Bridge, is a critical crossing point located approximately halfway between Amman and Jerusalem.
It serves as the sole official gateway between the West Bank and Jordan that does not pass through Israel, making it a vital conduit for goods and personnel.
Following the attack, the border point has been closed from both sides, with Jordanian authorities conducting an investigation into the incident.
Jordanian officials have detained at least two dozen truck drivers for questioning. These drivers, who were in the offloading area during the attack, have been held by Israeli military forces as part of the ongoing investigation.
In response to the incident, all of Israel’s land crossings with Jordan have been shut, according to the Israel Airports Authority.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack, calling it a “hard day” and expressing his condolences to the victims’ families. “A loathsome terrorist murdered three of our citizens in cold blood at the Allenby Bridge,” Netanyahu said during a cabinet meeting.
The attack has not been claimed by any specific group, but Hamas officials have described it as a “natural response” to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Since the onset of the war following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, over 600 Palestinians have been killed in West Bank violence, according to the Palestinian health ministry. During the same period, at least 18 Israelis have been killed in similar violence, based on United Nations figures.
The incident at the Allenby Bridge highlights the increasing tensions and violence in the region. Last week, Israeli forces completed a major nine-day operation in Jenin city and its refugee camp, a known stronghold of militants.
The operation resulted in significant casualties and heightened tensions in the area, which is home to approximately 60,000 civilians.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has exacerbated violence in the West Bank and Israel, with both sides accusing each other of exacerbating the situation.
Israel has emphasized its efforts to curb Palestinian attacks on Israeli citizens, while Palestinians and their supporters criticize Israeli military actions and policies.
As the investigation into the Allenby Bridge attack continues, both Israeli and Jordanian authorities are working to assess and address the security implications.
The closure of the border point has disrupted the daily flow of goods and personnel, affecting both Israeli and Jordanian operations.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing investigations and heightened security measures in place.
The international community is closely monitoring the developments, as the attack underscores the persistent volatility and complex dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its broader regional implications.