Israel reopens Allenby border crossing with Jordan following deadly attack

Israel has reopened the Allenby border crossing with Jordan for passenger traffic, four days after a deadly attack prompted its closure, said a statement by the Israeli Airports Authority, which oversees land border operations.

The crossing, which serves as the sole point of entry and exit between the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Jordan, had been shut down on September 19—just one day after a Jordanian truck driver carried out a shooting and stabbing attack at the site, killing two Israeli soldiers, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The Allenby Bridge, also known as the King Hussein Bridge, is not only vital for the movement of West Bank residents but also serves as a key conduit for commercial trade between Jordan and the Palestinian territories.

While the crossing has now resumed operations for civilian passengers, it remains closed to humanitarian aid shipments bound for the Gaza Strip. Israeli authorities have stated that the ban on aid deliveries will remain in place until Jordan concludes its official investigation into the September 18 incident and new inspection protocols for Jordanian drivers are implemented.

In a brief and temporary development on September 21, Jordan had reopened the bridge, but Israeli officials quickly reversed the decision, citing unresolved security concerns.

To recall, a Jordanian national arrived at the crossing from the Jordanian side in a truck carrying humanitarian aid bound for Gaza. Upon reaching the crossing, the man reportedly opened fire on the Israeli soldiers.

After his firearm appeared to malfunction, he exited the vehicle and proceeded to stab the soldiers repeatedly. Security personnel at the scene responded with gunfire, killing the assailant on the spot.

By Vafa Guliyeva