Israel plans to close the Allenby crossing, the sole gateway between the West Bank and Jordan, starting on Wednesday until further notice, the Palestinian General Authority for Borders and Crossings said on Tuesday.
The Israel Airports Authority, which helps manage the crossing, affirmed that the closure was directed by the government.
“Under the direction of the political echelon, the Allenby Crossing will be closed to passengers and cargo starting tomorrow morning until further notice.”
This follows about a week during which the crossing was already closed to passengers, with trade crossings remaining closed until further notice. Three days ago, the Airports Authority announced the crossing’s reopening for passengers only, but now it appears that this access is also being shut down after just three days of operation.
The closure comes in response to a terrorist attack at the Allenby Crossing, in which Lt.-Col. (res.) Yitzhak Harush, 68, of Jerusalem, an officer in Reserve Unit 309 of the Civil Administration, and Sgt. Oren Hershko, 20, of Tel Mond, a liaison NCO for foreign forces in Tevel Brigade, were killed.
Allenby Crossing closes indefinitely
According to reports, the terrorist was a Jordanian truck driver transporting aid headed for Gaza. He arrived at the Allenby crossing, opened fire, and was neutralized on the spot. MDA paramedics pronounced Yitzhak and Oren dead.
Jordan later condemned the attack, saying that it harmed the country's interests.
“Jordan’s official security apparatus has opened an investigation into today’s shooting incident," a statement read. "Jordan condemns and opposes this violation of the law, which harms Jordan’s interests and its ability to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. Jordan condemns all acts of violence and opposes all illegal actions that harm Jordan’s interests, its status, and the operation of humanitarian aid deliveries to the Strip.”