IDF Chief urges suspension of Gaza aid from Jordan after Allenby attack

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Thursday evening the deaths of two soldiers in a shooting attack at the Allenby Crossing at the Jordan border with Israel.

The victims were identified as:

Lt. Col. (Res.) Yitzhak Harosh, 68, from Jerusalem, an officer in the IDF’s Civil Administration reserves, Unit 309.

Sgt. Oren Hershko, 20, from Tel Mond, a liaison NCO in the IDF’s Tevel (International Cooperation) Brigade.

The incident occurred Thursday afternoon, when a Jordanian truck driver carrying humanitarian aid bound for Gaza opened fire before his vehicle was inspected. Israeli security forces quickly responded and killed the attacker.

Medical teams from Magen David Adom (MDA) and IDF medics rushed to the scene, but despite prolonged efforts, both soldiers succumbed to their wounds. “We found two men unconscious, critically wounded by gunfire. After intensive efforts, we were forced to declare their deaths,” MDA paramedics said.

Security Response

Large forces, including the elite Duvdevan unit and Battalion 47, were deployed to secure the area and check for possible accomplices. A helicopter was mobilized to assist in the evacuation and support operations.

Security officials noted that trucks transporting humanitarian aid from Jordan are generally not subject to systematic inspection under a bilateral agreement, raising concerns about possible security gaps.

Following the attack, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, in consultation with the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), advised the political echelon to halt the entry of humanitarian aid from Jordan until the inquiry into the incident is completed and revised screening procedures for Jordanian drivers are in place.