Jordan partially reopens West Bank crossing after deadly attack

Update Jordan partially reopens West Bank crossing after deadly attack
The Allenby crossing is the only gateway Palestinians in the West Bank can use to travel abroad without passing through Israel. (FILE/AFP)
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Updated 22 September 2025
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Jordan partially reopens West Bank crossing after deadly attack

Jordan partially reopens West Bank crossing after deadly attack
  • Jordan said it partially reopened its border crossing with the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Sunday, three days after closing it following an attack that killed two Israeli soldiers

AMMAN: Jordan said it partially reopened its border crossing with the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Sunday, three days after closing it following an attack that killed two Israeli soldiers.
“The crossing reopened Sunday for travelers only, while the movement of cargo trucks remains suspended until further notice,” an official statement said.
State broadcaster Al-Mamlaka reported heavy traffic in both directions from early in the morning.
The Allenby crossing is the only gateway Palestinians in the West Bank can use to travel abroad without passing through Israel, which has occupied the territory since 1967.

A spokesperson for the Israeli authority managing the land border said on Monday the Allenby crossing has been reopened. 
On Thursday, a Jordanian truck driver carrying aid for Gaza opened fire at the crossing, killing an Israeli soldier and a reserve officer with the civil administration before being “neutralized,” according to Israel.
Following the attack, the Israeli military asked Jordan to suspend the transfer of aid through the terminal.
Jordan said it had launched an investigation and identified the assailant as Abdel Mutaleb Al-Qaissi, 57.
It described him as “a civilian who had been working for three months as a driver delivering aid to Gaza,” which the UN says is suffering from a humanitarian crisis after nearly two years of devastating war.
Amman condemned the attack, calling it “a threat to the kingdom’s interests and to its ability to deliver humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip.”


Lebanon warns Israeli violations threaten stability as UN peacekeepers enter final phase of mission

Lebanon warns Israeli violations threaten stability as UN peacekeepers enter final phase of mission
Updated 11 November 2025
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Lebanon warns Israeli violations threaten stability as UN peacekeepers enter final phase of mission

Lebanon warns Israeli violations threaten stability as UN peacekeepers enter final phase of mission
  • UN envoy accuses Israel of jeopardizing ‘hard-won progress’ by undermining Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity through airstrikes and border violations
  • He says Lebanon’s army commander has presented to ministers his second progress report on a plan to extend state authority country-wide and limit weapons to state control

NEW YORK CITY: Lebanon has warned that Israeli airstrikes and border violations risk undermining progress toward achieving stability in southern Lebanon, as the UN peacekeeping mission in the country begins preparations for its withdrawal.

Speaking before the UN General Assembly’s Fourth Committee, Lebanon’s permanent representative to the organization, Ahmad Arafa, welcomed the recent renewal of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon’s mandate under Security Council Resolution 2790. This authorized the extension of the force’s operations until Dec. 31, 2026, followed by an “orderly, safe and coordinated” drawdown within a year.

“The Lebanese Armed Forces have been working tirelessly to ensure full implementation of Resolution 1701,” Arafa said, referring to the 2006 resolution that ended the war that year between Israel and Hezbollah.

It calls for the disarmament of all militias in Lebanon, including Hezbollah. The US has consistently pressured Lebanese authorities to disarm the group, designating it a terrorist organization.

The November 2024 ceasefire deal with Israel also requires Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah and establish a state monopoly on arms. The agreement states that only state security forces should bear arms, which is interpreted by Israel and others as requiring the full disarmament of Hezbollah. The group insists it applies only to southern Lebanon.

Arafa said the commander of the Lebanese army has presented to the Council of Ministers his second progress report on a plan to extend state authority throughout the country and confine possession of weapons to legitimate state institutions.

However, he accused Israel of jeopardizing the “hard-won progress” that has been made, through what he described as ongoing violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, including airstrikes, the continued occupation of Lebanese territory, and the creation of “so-called buffer zones.”

UNIFIL spokesperson Dany Ghafri said last week that Israel had carried out more than 7,000 airspace violations since the cessation of hostilities in November last year, Arafa noted. UNIFIL has warned that the airstrikes breach Resolution 1701, “threaten the safety of civilians, and undermine progress toward a political and diplomatic solution,” he added

Lebanon also condemned Israeli attacks on UNIFIL personnel and positions, describing them as “a blatant violation of international law.”

Arafa expressed gratitude to the leadership of the UN force, and the countries that contribute troops, for their “dedication and sacrifice” since the mission was established in 1978. He called for the avoidance of any “security vacuum” during the upcoming transitional period, while maintaining stability and respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty.