Two Israeli Soldiers Killed in Attack at Jordan-West Bank Border Crossing

Two Israeli soldiers were killed Thursday at the King Hussein (Allenby) Bridge crossing between Jordan and the occupied West Bank, after an assailant driving a humanitarian aid truck opened fire. The attacker, identified as a Jordanian national, was subsequently "neutralized" by security forces at the scene. The incident has led to the immediate closure of the vital crossing and calls for a halt to humanitarian aid shipments from Jordan.

The Israeli military confirmed the deaths of Lieutenant Colonel (res.) Yitzhak Harosh, 68, and Sergeant Oran Hershko, 20, who were both involved in coordinating Gaza aid via Jordan. According to initial reports, the attacker, Abd al-Mutalib al-Qaisi, 57, used a handgun to shoot the soldiers and then resorted to stabbing after his weapon reportedly jammed. The attack occurred before the aid truck could undergo inspection.

The incident prompted the Israel Airports Authority (IAA) to declare the Allenby Crossing, the sole West Bank crossing with Jordan, closed until further notice. Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir recommended halting the entry of Gaza aid from Jordan via this route, pending a full investigation and revised security protocols for Jordanian drivers. Aid is expected to continue through other channels.

Jordan's foreign ministry condemned the attack, stating it was a "violation of international law" and threatened the Kingdom's ability to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. The ministry also announced that Jordanian security services have launched their own investigation into the incident. Palestinian armed group Hamas praised the attack, describing it as a response to Israeli actions in Gaza.

This marks the second deadly attack at the Allenby Crossing within a year, following a September 2024 incident where another Jordanian truck driver killed three Israeli security personnel. The recurring security breaches underscore ongoing tensions and challenges at the border, despite existing security and diplomatic ties between Jordan and Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly called for stricter security measures, including metal detectors and thorough inspections for aid trucks.