Three Israeli civilians were killed on Sunday by a Jordanian gunman who opened fire at the Allenby Crossing, the connection between the West Bank and Jordan, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. said in a statement.
“A terrorist approached the Allenby Bridge area from Jordan in a truck, got out of the truck and opened fire on Israeli security forces operating on the bridge,” the IDF said, adding that security forces returned fire, killing the gunman.
The Israel Airports Authority (IAA), which operates the border crossing, said the three civilians were employees of the Allenby crossing, according to multiple news sockets.
According to the Jordanian Foreign Ministry, initial findings indicate the shooter acted alone, but authorities will continue the investigation.
“The ministry stressed Jordan’s firm position in rejecting and condemning violence and targeting civilians for any reason, and called for addressing all causes and escalating steps that cause it,” a translation of an official statement said.
The statement renewed calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, de-escalation of violence in the West Bank and a path to peace.
Local news channels and The Associated Press identified The shooter is Maher al-Jazi, a retired Jordanian soldier who was reportedly a truck driver transporting goods from Jordan to the West Bank.
The attack was celebrated by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), which called the attack “heroic,” and by Hamas, which called the attack “heroic.” called the attacker “one of Jordan’s brave men,” The Times of Israel reported.
According to AP, hundreds of Jordanians took to the streets to celebrate the attack, burning the Israeli flag and chanting slogans in support of the shooter.
“We bless this heroic operation carried out by this noble Jordanian hero,” Murad Adaileh, leader of the local Muslim Brotherhood, said in a statement reported by the AP.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack, writing on the social platform X: “Our enemies want to kill us all – that is why we must stand united against them – until victory,” according to a translation.
The West Bank has seen an increase in violence since the October 7 Hamas attack, which left 1,200 Israelis dead and about 250 abducted and taken to Gaza. Israel has carried out frequent arrests in the West Bank, according to the AP, and there has been an increase in violence by Israeli settlers, as well as Palestinian attacks on Israelis.
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