Jordanian Truck Driver Kills 3 Israeli Guards at West Bank Crossing

On Sunday, a truck driver launched a deadly attack at the Allenby Bridge border crossing, also known as the King Hussein Bridge, between the occupied West Bank and Jordan. The assailant killed three Israeli guards before being neutralized by security forces.

This violent incident occurred during a period of escalating tensions in the West Bank, characterized by frequent Israeli military operations and Palestinian attacks.

According to the Israeli military, the assailant, described as a terrorist, arrived at the crossing in a truck from Jordan. He then exited the vehicle and opened fire on Israeli security personnel stationed there.

The Israeli military confirmed the deaths of three Israeli civilians in the attack, later identified by AFP as security guards employed at the crossing but not as members of the military or police.

In response to the attack, the assailant was shot dead by security forces. Following the incident, Jordan’s Interior Ministry announced that it was conducting an investigation and that the Jordanian side of the crossing had been temporarily closed.

The Allenby Bridge is notable as the sole international gateway for West Bank Palestinians that allows exit without entering Israel directly, a region occupied by Israel since 1967. Security at the crossing is managed by private guards along with Israeli security forces.

Israel’s national emergency medical service, Magen David Adom, reported that three individuals had succumbed to gunshot wounds, and police characterized the event as a shooting attack. Israeli media noted that the shooting took place at an inspection area of the crossing.

Following the incident, the Israeli military deployed additional soldiers to the scene to ensure that the truck was not rigged with explosives.

This shooting is part of a broader surge in violence in the West Bank, which has intensified since the outbreak of war in Gaza following an attack by Hamas on October 7. Since then, Palestinian health ministry figures indicate that Israeli actions have resulted in the deaths of at least 662 Palestinians in the West Bank. Over the same period, Palestinian attacks have claimed the lives of at least 23 Israelis, including security personnel, according to Israeli authorities.