Getty PhotosThree Israeli males have been shot useless at a border level between Jordan and the occupied West Financial institution, Israeli officers say.
A gunman approached the Allenby Bridge crossing from the Jordanian aspect in a truck then obtained out and opened fireplace, the Israel Protection Forces (IDF) stated.
Safety personnel “eradicated” the gunman and the IDF checked the truck over for indicators of explosives, a press release stated.
Jordan says it’s investigating the incident, which occurred in an Israeli-controlled space the place Jordanian automobiles offload items coming into the West Financial institution. The border level has now been closed from either side.
An Israeli official informed the AFP information company that these killed had been safety guards who weren’t part of the military or police.
Video footage confirmed the attacker strolling to the terminal and firing his weapon thrice earlier than he was shot useless.
A Jordanian border official informed Reuters that not less than two dozen Jordanian truck drivers within the offloading space had been detained by Israel’s navy for interrogation.
All of Israel’s land crossings with Jordan have been closed after the incident, the Israel Airports Authority stated.
The Allenby Bridge crossing, also called the King Hussein Bridge, lies about midway between Amman and Jerusalem and is the one official crossing level between the West Financial institution and Jordan. Additionally it is the one entry level to the West Financial institution that doesn’t undergo Israel.
Jordan and Israel preserve safety, commerce and diplomatic ties – although Jordan is important of Israel’s actions in the direction of Palestinians.
Dozens of vans cross from Jordan each day to produce items for markets in each the West Financial institution and Israel.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated it was a “laborious day” and despatched his condolences to the victims’ households firstly of a cupboard assembly.
He added: “A loathsome terrorist murdered three of our residents in chilly blood on the Allenby Bridge.”
Hamas officers praised the assault, claiming it was a response to Israel’s offensive in Gaza, however didn’t take accountability for it.
The Palestinian well being ministry says greater than 600 Palestinians have been killed in a surge in violence within the West Financial institution since Hamas’s 7 October assault on Israel and the following warfare in Gaza.
Final week, Israeli forces withdrew from Jenin metropolis and its refugee camp – an space within the West Financial institution – after a significant nine-day operation there. The world is a stronghold of militants and has a civilian inhabitants of about 60,000.
Israel says it’s attempting to stem lethal Palestinian assaults on Israelis within the West Financial institution and Israel, and appearing towards terrorism.
