Allenby Crossing Between Israel and Jordan Set To Reopen for First Time Since September

Latest Developments

Key Border Crossing To Reopen: Israel is set to reopen the Allenby Crossing with Jordan for the transfer of aid and goods after the border was closed in September following a deadly terror attack that left two Israeli security personnel dead. The crossing was opened several days after the attack for passenger and pedestrian traffic only. An Israeli official said that security measures surrounding the screening of Jordanian truck drivers and permitted cargo had been tightened ahead of the crossing’s reopening and that “dedicated security forces” had been assigned to bolster the checkpoint.
Deadly Attacks Since October 7 Atrocities: A Jordanian terrorist killed two Israeli soldiers on September 18 as he drove a humanitarian aid truck bound for Gaza through the crossing. The assailant, a citizen of the Hashemite Kingdom who was employed by the Jordanian military to deliver aid to Gaza, initially opened fire with a handgun and then stabbed the two victims with a knife before being eliminated by Israeli security guards. A similar attack was carried out by a Jordanian terrorist in September 2024 at the Allenby Bridge, during which three Israeli security guards were murdered.
New High-Tech Border: The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced this week that construction began on the first two sections of a new, upgraded security barrier along the Jordanian border. The first two sections comprise nearly 50 miles of the 264-mile-long border, with the ministry pledging to continue working with the IDF to develop additional sections, eventually aiming to upgrade the fence along the entire span of the Jordanian border. In recent months, the IDF established a new task force, the 96th “Gilad” Division, with the mission of stymying weapons smuggling across the Jordanian border.

FDD Expert Response

“Iran’s continued efforts to smuggle advanced weapons into the West Bank, coupled with cross-border attacks from Jordan, have become central drivers behind Jerusalem’s push to reinforce its security barrier along the Jordanian frontier. The decision reflects more than just tactical necessity; it underscores a recalibration shaped by the intelligence failures and operational vulnerabilities laid bare on October 7. While the peace treaty with the Hashemite Kingdom remains intact and largely functional, Israel has a responsibility to protect its citizens from threats from enemy countries and those with which it has normalized relations.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“Sadly, Palestinian terrorists and those who murder for the Palestinian cause have a track record of attacking the very infrastructure that is designed to improve the lives of Palestinians. Jordanian terrorists have carried out two deadly attacks at the Allenby Crossing since Hamas launched the war against Israel, and the humanitarian aid crossings between Israel and Gaza have been relentlessly targeted — both on October 7 and since. Reopening the crossing is a sign of good faith on the part of the Israelis, but it will also inevitably put Israelis at risk.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network