A gunman shot and killed three Israeli citizens at the border crossing between the West Bank and Jordan on Sunday. The attacker, identified as retired Jordanian soldier Maher al-Jazi, arrived in a truck from Jordan and targeted Israeli citizens at the Allenby Bridge crossing. Israeli security forces shot him dead in response.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack and linked it to Israel’s conflict with Iran and its allied terrorist groups.
The Jordanian Interior Ministry confirmed that the attacker was Jordanian and that the initial investigation suggests it was an isolated incident. The investigation is ongoing. Jordan and Israel have had peace since 1994.
The Jordanian ministry said the shooter crossed the bridge while posing as a truck driver transporting goods. Officials from both countries are working to repatriate his body.
In response to the attack, Israel has closed the Allenby Bridge, also known as the King Hussein Bridge in Jordan. Israel has also shut the Wadi Araba crossing between Eilat and Aqaba, and the Jordan River crossing between Beit She’an and Irbid.