Israel on Wednesday temporarily closed the Allenby Bridge, the main crossing between Jordan and the Israeli-controlled West Bank, intensifying logistical and humanitarian pressures on Palestinians as several Western governments moved to recognize a Palestinian state.
Palestinian and Jordanian officials said Israel informed border authorities a day prior that both passenger and freight traffic would be affected.
The Israel Airports Authority, which oversees air and land terminals, confirmed the closure, stating it was “at the direction of the political echelon” until further notice, but offered no details on its expected duration.
Israeli authorities did not respond to requests for comment.
The border shutdown comes as Israel faces heightened international scrutiny over its war in Gaza, which Palestinian authorities report has left more than 65,000 dead, though they do not distinguish combatants from civilians.
The conflict began with Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, that killed roughly 1,200 Israelis and left 251 hostages.
Despite criticism, Israel launched a new offensive in northern Gaza in recent weeks, ordering evacuations of roughly one million residents in the midst of an ongoing humanitarian crisis.
The move by several Western governments to recognize a Palestinian state drew strong condemnation in Israel. Some cabinet ministers urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to annex parts of the West Bank and permanently end the notion of a Palestinian state.
Netanyahu has promised a robust response following his trip later this week to the United States, where he will attend the United Nations General Assembly and meet with President Trump.
Allenby is a critical conduit for Palestinians seeking to travel abroad for work, education, or medical care. Jordan, which hosts the world’s largest population of Palestinian refugees, has close familial and economic ties to the West Bank.
A full closure would not only disrupt daily life but could hinder humanitarian operations, aid deliveries, and the movement of essential medical personnel.
Palestinians’ reliance on Allenby is compounded by its role as the primary entry and exit route for humanitarian staff and supplies.
Aid agencies already face logistical challenges in Gaza, where different types of relief—tents, food, and medicine—enter through varied corridors, including Israel’s Ashdod port and Egypt, before converging at a single checkpoint in the south, Kerem Shalom.
Olga Cherevko, a spokeswoman for the U.N.’s humanitarian office in Gaza, described the strain on operations. “We’re trying to look at everything from a practical standpoint and find solutions, but of course any prolonged closure will have a severe impact,” she said, noting the influx of people fleeing northern Gaza and the resulting congestion on roads.
The crossing has been temporarily shut in the past. Last week, a man carrying humanitarian aid opened fire, killing two Israeli soldiers, prompting Israel to suspend aid deliveries through Allenby pending security revisions.
The temporary closure of Allenby underscores Israel’s ongoing struggle to balance security concerns with international scrutiny and humanitarian obligations in a region under intense global attention.
[READ MORE: Trump Administration Weighs Financial Lifeline for Argentina as Milei Pushes Free-Market Overhaul]
