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# Tragic Shooting at Allenby Crossing Claims Three Lives

ALLENBY CROSSING, West Bank (AP) — On Sunday, a horrifying incident unfolded at the border crossing between the West Bank and Jordan, resulting in the tragic deaths of three Israeli citizens. Israeli officials have indicated a potential link between this attack and the ongoing, 11-month-old war in Gaza.

## Details of the Incident

According to military reports, the assailant arrived at the Allenby Bridge Crossing from the Jordanian side in a truck and opened fire on Israeli security personnel. In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, the attacker was neutralized by Israeli forces. The casualties, all men in their 50s, were confirmed to be Israeli civilians, as reported by Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service.

## Jordan’s Response

In the wake of this violence, Jordan is conducting an investigation, as highlighted by the state-run Petra News Agency. Jordan, which has been at peace with Israel since signing a treaty in 1994, has voiced strong criticisms of Israeli policies concerning Palestinians. The country is home to a significant Palestinian community and has witnessed widespread protests against Israel related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

## Significance of the Crossing

The Allenby Crossing, also referred to as the King Hussein Bridge, plays a crucial role as a transit point primarily for Palestinians and international tourists, in addition to facilitating cargo movements. Historically, the crossing has maintained a relatively low incidence of security-related violence. However, it is noteworthy that in 2014, an incident occurred where Israeli security personnel fatally shot a Jordanian judge, claiming he had attacked them.

## Immediate Aftermath: Closure of Crossings

In response to the shooting, officials from both Israel and Jordan have announced the closure of the Allenby crossing until further notice. Israel has also declared the closure of its other two land crossings with Jordan, located near Beit Shean in the north and Eilat in the south, further complicating border activities.

## Political Context and Broader Impacts

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack and linked it to the escalating conflict involving Iran and its allied militant factions, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Since the start of the war following Hamas’s attack on October 7, the Israeli-occupied West Bank has experienced a notable increase in violence, characterized by ongoing military operations and heightened tensions resulting in settler aggression and reciprocal Palestinian attacks against Israelis.

## Escalating Violence in Gaza

In a parallel escalation, early Sunday saw an Israeli airstrike in Gaza that claimed the lives of five individuals, including two women and two children. The strike specifically targeted the residence of Mohammed Morsi, the deputy director of Civil Defense in northern Gaza, located in the densely populated Jabaliya refugee camp. The Israeli military maintains that it endeavors to avoid civilian casualties, focusing its targets on militants exclusively.

As reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry, the ongoing conflict has led to more than 40,000 Palestinian deaths since its inception, with the figures lacking differentiation between combatants and civilians. The war has wreaked immense devastation, resulting in the displacement of approximately 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million.

## The Toll of Hostage Situations

The Hamas-led assault on October 7 resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities, primarily among civilians in southern Israel, and left around 250 individuals abducted. Despite some being released during a temporary cease-fire last November, around 100 hostages are still believed to be in the hands of militants, with estimations indicating that about a third of these individuals may have already lost their lives.

## International Efforts for Cease-Fire

The United States, alongside Qatar and Egypt, has been working tirelessly to negotiate a cease-fire and facilitate the return of hostages. However, these negotiations have consistently faced significant hurdles and delays.

## The Historical Background of the Conflict

Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, and east Jerusalem occurred in the 1967 Mideast War, territories that Palestinians aspire to include in their future state. Israel withdrew its soldiers and settlers from Gaza in 2005 but retained control over its airspace, coastline, and the majority of land crossings, instituting a blockade in collaboration with Egypt after Hamas ousted rival Palestinian factions in 2007.

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Melzer reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press writer Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed to this report.

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For ongoing coverage of the conflict, follow AP at [AP’s war coverage](https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war).

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