Three Israelis Killed in West Bank; Netanyahu: We Are Surrounded by the Deadly Ideology of Iran's 'Axis of Evil'

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, on Sunday referred to the killing of three Israeli citizens at the border of the West Bank with Jordan, stating that his country is surrounded by the deadly ideology of Iran's 'Axis of Evil.' In the opening of his weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu expressed condolences to the families of the three Israeli citizens and referenced the recent murder of six other Israeli hostages by Hamas, saying: 'The killers do not differentiate among us. Right-wing and left-wing, secular and religious, Jewish and non-Jewish, they want to kill us to the last person.' According to him, it is the power of the Israeli army that prevents the annihilation of the people of this country. The Israeli Prime Minister added that Israel's enemies are unable to achieve a military defeat of the country and are trying to create divisions among the Israeli people. Netanyahu further emphasized his government's commitment to eliminating Hamas, returning the hostages, permanently removing the threat from Gaza against Israel, and allowing residents of northern and southern Israel to return to their homes. On Sunday morning, three Israeli citizens were killed due to gunfire at the 'Allenby' border crossing between the West Bank and Jordan. The shooter is reported to be a truck driver, possibly from Jordan. According to the Times of Israel, one of the deceased was 61 years old and a father of six, while another was 65 years old. Israeli officials stated that the shooter exited the truck during an inspection by Israeli forces and opened fire on the employees of the border crossing. He was shot dead by Israeli soldiers. Both Hamas and Islamic Jihad praised the attack, with Hamas referring to the attacker as 'one of the brave men of Jordan.' Israeli officials have repeatedly warned in recent weeks and months about the intensification of activities by the Islamic Republic of Iran and Hamas in the West Bank, particularly their efforts to send weapons and money to Palestinian refugee camps. The 'Allenby' border crossing is the only passage between the West Bank and Jordan and is currently closed following this terrorist attack. The Jordanian Ministry of Interior announced that it has begun an investigation into the incident. Following the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and over 250 hostages taken, violence in the West Bank has also intensified. According to the Times of Israel, over the past 11 months, more than 5,000 Palestinian suspects, including 2,000 affiliated with Hamas, have been arrested in the West Bank. Palestinian officials in the West Bank claim that over this period, more than 670 Palestinians residing in the West Bank have been killed. In contrast, the Israeli army states that most of them were killed during exchanges of fire or while carrying out terrorist attacks. During this time, a total of 39 Israeli citizens have also been killed in attacks by Palestinian militants in the West Bank and Israel. The Palestinian Authority claims that Israeli forces have withdrawn from Jenin. Ongoing clashes in Gaza, the West Bank, and the Lebanon border; Israel: Hamas will pay a heavy price for killing hostages. The Jordanian Foreign Minister accused Israel of escalating violence in the West Bank. Escalation of clashes in the West Bank; at least 19 Palestinians have been killed and one Israeli soldier injured so far. Continued operations by the Israeli army in the West Bank; Britain: The risk of serious instability. Israeli fighter jets attacked several Hezbollah launchers in southern Lebanon. Israel warns of the formation of a 'terrorist front' supported by the Islamic Republic in the West Bank. Continued operations by the Israeli army in the West Bank; one 'Islamic Jihad' commander and four Palestinian militants were killed. The U.S. sanctioned an Israeli NGO and a settler official due to 'violence in the West Bank.'