Three Israeli men were shot dead at the Allenby Bridge crossing between Jordan and the West Bank, Israeli officials confirmed. The gunman, identified as 39-year-old Jordanian truck driver Maher Jazi, opened fire upon arriving at the border crossing from the Jordanian side. Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) security personnel quickly neutralized the attacker, and the truck was searched for potential explosives.
The attack, which occurred in an Israeli-controlled area used for offloading Jordanian goods into the West Bank, led to the immediate closure of all border crossings between Israel and Jordan. The victims were identified as Yohanan Shchori, 61, Yuri Birnbaum, 65, and Adrian Marcelo Podzamczer, who were reported to be guards at the crossing but not members of the military or police. Video footage shows the attacker walking to the terminal and firing three shots before being taken down.
Jordan has launched an investigation into the incident. Meanwhile, at least two dozen Jordanian truck drivers present at the scene were detained for questioning by Israeli authorities. The Allenby Bridge, also known as the King Hussein Bridge, serves as the only official crossing point between Jordan and the West Bank.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his condolences to the victims’ families, calling the attack a “loathsome” act of terrorism. Though Hamas did not claim responsibility, the group referred to the attack as a “natural response” to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The incident comes amid heightened tensions, with over 600 Palestinians killed in West Bank violence since the start of the conflict in October and at least 18 Israeli deaths during the same period, according to United Nations figures.
The border crossing remains closed as investigations continue, with significant impacts on trade and transportation in the region.