Israel has closed the only crossing between the Israeli-occupied West Bank and neighboring Jordan, stopping more than two million Palestinians from accessing the outside world.
The Israeli airports authority, which oversees the Allenby Bridge crossing, stated it would be closed indefinitely from Wednesday morning at the direction of the political leadership without providing a reason.
The closure has stranded many Palestinians in the West Bank, who cannot embark on planned trips abroad, and those already abroad have been unable to return.
This development follows the shooting deaths of two Israeli military personnel near the crossing by a Jordanian assailant, who was subsequently killed.
The crossing had briefly shut down after that incident but had reopened until the recent indefinite closure.
Located about halfway between Amman and Jerusalem, the Allenby Bridge is the only official crossing point between the West Bank and Jordan that does not go through Israel, making it essential for Palestinians' travel.
Most Palestinians in the West Bank are prohibited from using Israeli airports or border crossings, underscoring the importance of the Allenby Bridge for their connection to the outside world. Prominent Palestinian politician Mustafa Barghouti condemned the closure, calling it a dangerous move that effectively imprisons West Bank residents and disrupts vital family connections.
Jordan, which is home to more than two million registered Palestinian refugees, has strong familial and historical ties with the Palestinian people. Barghouti expressed concern over families divided by the closure, particularly those who depend on Jordan to visit relatives or who cannot return due to the restrictions.
Additionally, the closure raises fears of further isolation for Palestinians amid a climate of increased Israeli control over the West Bank, which has intensified since a recent surge of violence and military operations in the region.
The Allenby Bridge is a vital lifeline for trade, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid, with a major portion of goods destined for the West Bank passing through this crossing.
Maxim Giacaman, a medical student from Bethlehem, shared his frustration as he was set to travel to Germany for an important medical elective and now faces uncertainty regarding his plans.
The indefinite closure comes amidst concerns that the Israeli government views international recognition of a Palestinian state as a direct threat, resulting in tighter restrictions on movement and increased military presence.
The ongoing situation reveals the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as the Allenby Bridge — named after British General Edmund Allenby, who led forces in the region during World War I — has been a pivotal route for generations.
