Crossing Closed: Palestinians Stranded in West Bank

Tue Oct 21 2025 06:26:50 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Israel has indefinitely closed the Allenby Bridge, the only crossing between the West Bank and Jordan, leaving millions of Palestinians stranded and unable to travel.

Over two million Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank are cut off from the outside world following the indefinite closure of the Allenby Bridge crossing into Jordan. This restriction comes amidst heightened tensions and has left many unable to return from abroad or proceed with travel plans. Prominent voices have condemned the closure as a dangerous move that effectively imprisons residents and disrupts family ties across borders, particularly as it coincides with potential international recognition of a Palestinian state.

Palestinians in West Bank stranded as Israel shuts only international crossing

Israel has closed the only crossing between the Israeli-occupied West Bank and neighbouring Jordan, stopping more than two million Palestinians from accessing the outside world.

The Israeli airports authority, which oversees the Allenby Bridge crossing, said it would be closed indefinitely from Wednesday morning at the direction of the political leadership. It did not provide a reason.

The closure has stranded many Palestinians in the West Bank, who are unable to go on planned trips abroad. Those who are abroad have been unable to travel home.

It comes days after two Israeli military personnel were shot dead near the crossing by a Jordanian gunman, who was killed at the scene.

It was briefly shut following that incident but had since reopened.

The crossing - also known as the King Hussein Bridge - lies about halfway between Amman and Jerusalem and is the only official crossing point between the West Bank and Jordan. It is also the only entry point to the West Bank that does not go through Israel.

Most Palestinians in the West Bank are not allowed to travel through Israeli airports or other Israeli border crossings, meaning the bridge is an essential connection to the outside world.

Prominent Palestinian politician Mustafa Barghouti told the BBC it was a dangerous move that meant imprisoning people in the West Bank and depriving them from the only passage out.

Jordan is home to more than 2m registered Palestinian refugees, while more than half of its population of more than 11m are of Palestinian descent. It has maintained security, trade and diplomatic ties with Israel since a 1994 peace treaty - but is a vocal critic of Israel's actions towards Palestinians.

The Allenby bridge is a key trade route for goods and medical supplies to enter the West Bank. Israeli authorities say about 9% of humanitarian aid sent by truck to Gaza passes through it.

Palestinians fear its indefinite closure forms part of an Israeli response to moves announced this week by the UK, France, Australia, Canada and other countries to recognise the State of Palestine.

The Israeli government has labelled the moves a reward for terrorism. Ultranationalist ministers have called for Israel to annex the West Bank outright as a response.

Since the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage, triggering the war in Gaza, Israel has significantly tightened its control over the West Bank.