Amman/Jerusalem, September 8, 2024 – A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday at the Allenby Bridge border crossing between the occupied West Bank and Jordan, where a truck driver opened fire on Israeli security personnel, killing three guards before being shot dead by Israeli forces. This attack, claimed to be a rare event at the crossing, has further intensified the already volatile situation in the region.
The perpetrator, identified as Jordanian national Maher Diab Hussein al-Jazi, reportedly drove a truck from Jordan to the King Hussein Bridge, also known as the Allenby Bridge. Upon arriving at the crossing, al-Jazi exited his vehicle and commenced shooting at Israeli security guards stationed at the bridge. According to the Israeli military, the attacker killed three Israeli guards who were working at the site but were not affiliated with the army or police.
Israeli forces quickly responded to the assault, neutralizing al-Jazi at the scene. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack, labeling al-Jazi as a “despicable terrorist” influenced by what he described as a “murderous ideology” propagated by Iran.
The attack comes amid a period of severe unrest in the West Bank, which has seen a dramatic increase in violence. The broader context includes ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas, which began following a major attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023. This conflict has been marked by significant casualties and escalating military actions from both sides.
Hamas, while praising the attack, stopped short of claiming direct responsibility. The group stated that the incident “affirms the Arab peoples’ rejection of the [Israeli] occupation” but did not specifically attribute the attack to its own operatives.
The violence in the West Bank has surged, with recent Israeli military raids resulting in numerous Palestinian casualties. On August 28, Israeli forces conducted simultaneous raids across several West Bank cities and refugee camps, leading to at least 36 Palestinian deaths, according to Palestinian health officials. In response, Israeli officials have reported 23 Israeli fatalities, including security personnel, due to Palestinian attacks.
The conflict has also severely impacted Gaza. Israeli military operations in Gaza have resulted in a staggering number of casualties, with the Gaza health ministry reporting at least 40,972 deaths since the escalation began. The United Nations Office of Human Rights has highlighted that a significant portion of these casualties are women and children.
On Sunday, Israeli forces continued their offensive in Gaza, conducting air strikes and shelling across the territory. This follows recent rocket fire from Gaza towards Israeli territory, which resulted in one rocket being intercepted and another falling into the sea.
In the midst of the conflict, international pressure is mounting for a ceasefire. The United States, Qatar, and Egypt are actively mediating to broker an agreement, while Israeli protesters continue to demand a resolution to the conflict. Demonstrators in Tel Aviv have called for the government to stop the war and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.
The violence has also led to tragic incidents beyond the immediate conflict zones, such as the shooting of Turkish-American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, who was protesting Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Her death has drawn international condemnation and further calls for an end to the violence.
The situation remains highly fluid and fraught with danger as both sides brace for further escalation. The international community continues to watch closely, hoping for a resolution to the ongoing conflict and relief for the millions affected by the violence.
