Three Israelis Killed in Shooting at Jordan-West Bank Border Crossing

Three Israeli civilians were killed in a shooting by an armed individual who crossed the King Hussein Bridge from Jordan into the occupied West Bank. The incident occurred on Sunday morning, September 9, near the border crossing, and the assailant was killed by Israeli security forces. According to Israeli officials, the attack took place in the commercial transport area, which is under Israeli control, where Jordanian trucks unload their cargo for entry into the West Bank. The Israeli crossing manager told reporters that the driver of one of the trucks fired at Israeli security forces after exiting the truck, resulting in the deaths of three Israeli workers. Daily, dozens of trucks and trailers cross the King Hussein Bridge from Jordan into the West Bank, transporting products from Jordan and Gulf countries to Israeli and West Bank markets. Jordanian officials announced the temporary closure of this bridge and the initiation of an investigation into the attack. The King Hussein Bridge is located north of the Dead Sea, midway between Amman, the capital of Jordan, and Jerusalem. This is the first attack of its kind along the Jordan-Israel border since the onset of the Gaza war over 11 months ago. Jordan and Israel signed a peace treaty 30 years ago and maintain close security relations. In another development, crossfire between Hezbollah forces in Lebanon and the Israeli army continues. On Saturday, September 8, three Lebanese firefighters were killed and two others seriously injured due to an Israeli airstrike on the town of 'Faroun' in northern Beirut. According to a statement from the Lebanese Ministry of Health, these individuals were attempting to extinguish a fire caused by another Israeli attack. The statement noted that the firefighters' vehicle was targeted. The Lebanese Ministry of Health emphasized that this was the second attack by Israel on Lebanese rescue forces within just 12 hours, deeming it 'intentional.' The statement further mentioned that since mid-October of last year and the beginning of the Gaza war, 27 Lebanese rescue workers have been killed and 94 injured by Israeli fire. It added that during this period, two hospitals and 21 health centers have been 'targeted,' and 32 ambulances or fire trucks have been severely damaged. The statement concluded by calling for an end to what it described as 'intentional and repeated attacks on rescue forces.' Meanwhile, tens of thousands marched in Israel as the 11th month of the Gaza war continues. On the other hand, the Israeli army confirmed the attack on 'Faroun,' describing its target as 'members of the Amal militia' present at 'a Hezbollah military base.' The Amal movement also confirmed the deaths of two of its members in this attack, claiming they were engaged in 'humanitarian actions' and firefighting. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned this attack as a 'violation of international law' and announced an emergency meeting on Monday with ambassadors from Western countries and representatives of international organizations. Hezbollah also issued a statement reporting the launch of several 'Falq' missiles in retaliation for the Israeli attack on 'Faroun.' Hezbollah claimed to have targeted an 'Israeli military base' in the northern city of 'Kiryat Shmona,' causing casualties. This Iranian-allied militia also reported firing missiles at the Israeli settlement of 'Shamir' near 'Kiryat Shmona.' The Israeli army announced that it had conducted attacks against Hezbollah positions and intercepted and destroyed several projectiles fired from Lebanon overnight. Since the beginning of the Gaza war over 11 months ago, clashes between Hezbollah and the Israeli army have continued almost daily and intensified. During this period, over 600 people, including about 140 Lebanese civilians, have been killed due to Israeli airstrikes. On the other side of the border, including in the occupied Golan Heights, 24 soldiers and 26 Israeli civilians have been killed. Tens of thousands of civilians on both sides of the border have been forced to leave their homes and move to safer areas.