Allenby Crossing Closure Amid Escalating Israel Conflict

Israeli police stand guard near the site of a deadly shooting attack.

The Allenby Crossing, also known as the King Hussein Bridge, serves as a key transit point for Palestinians, international tourists, and cargo shipments across the Jordan River. While the crossing has generally seen few security incidents, a notable event occurred in 2014 when Israeli security personnel shot and killed a Jordanian judge, claiming he attacked them. In the aftermath of that incident, both Israel and Jordan temporarily closed the crossing.

Recently, tensions have flared again amid escalating violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Since Hamas’ October 7 attack from Gaza, which left around 1,200 civilians dead and resulted in 250 abductions, Israel has intensified its military operations in Palestinian territories, leading to daily raids and rising violence between Israeli settlers and Palestinians. Strikingly, Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, an American-Turkish lady, was shot dead while challenging against Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Her death has drawn international attention, with the White House calling for an investigation.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, Israeli airstrikes have caused heavy casualties. One of the recent strikes killed five people, including two women, two children, and a senior Civil Defense official in the Jabaliya refugee camp. The Civil Defense operates under the Hamas-run government. Another airstrike targeted the Eid family home in the Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least two girls, with first responders still searching for survivors.

Gaza's Health Ministry reports that more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since the onset of the war, though the numbers do not distinguish between civilians and fighters. The war has caused mass displacement, forcing around 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents to flee their homes, often multiple times.

Israeli police stand guard near the site of a deadly shooting attack.

Hamas-led militants triggered the ongoing conflict with their October 7 attack, while Israel continued its retaliatory strikes and military operations. Efforts led by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt to mediate a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages have yet to yield substantial progress. Israel still controls Gaza's airspace, coastline, and most land crossings, maintaining a blockade in partnership with Egypt since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007.

The West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, all captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war, remain central to the Palestinian quest for statehood. While Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, the area remains under tight restrictions, fueling ongoing tensions.