Israel has announced the reopening of three border crossings into Jordan following their closure due to a Jordanian gunman's attack that resulted in the death of three Israeli civilians at the LNB crossing. The suspected gunman's brother suggested that anger over violence in Gaza may have been a motive for the attack. The crossing, also known as the King Hussein Bridge border crossing, facilitates traffic between Jordan and the West Bank.
The incident on Sunday involved a Jordanian individual driving a commercial goods truck through the crossing, which he had done previously according to his family. The individual stopped the vehicle, exited, and fatally shot three border crossing guards before being killed by another guard. The gunman's brother indicated that the Gaza conflict might have influenced his actions, although the family expressed surprise at his actions.
The attack has been condemned by both Jordan and Israel, with the Israeli Prime Minister attributing it to a broader ideology of violence. Jordan's Ministry of Interior has initiated an investigation into the incident, stating that the gunman acted alone and condemning the violence while calling for addressing root causes and de-escalating tensions.
All three land crossings between Jordan and Israel are expected to reopen for passengers, with heightened security measures likely in place. Jordanian truck drivers questioned after the incident have been released, and commercial goods transport between Jordan and the West Bank is set to resume.
Israel's defense minister has affirmed military readiness to shift focus to the northern border if necessary, emphasizing the goals of combating Hamas in Gaza and preparing for potential threats from Hezbollah. The military aims to eliminate Hamas and secure the release of hostages while remaining vigilant across all fronts.
