JERUSALEM, Dec. 10 — Israel will reopen the main crossing between the occupied West Bank and Jordan for goods, starting Wednesday, an Israeli security official said Tuesday. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said that goods and aid from Jordan will be allowed to enter the West Bank and Gaza “in line with government instructions and understandings.” All aid trucks destined for Gaza “will be transferred under escort and security protection after stringent security checks,” the official added. The crossing, known in Israel as the Allenby Bridge and in Jordan as the King Hussein Bridge, is jointly managed by the Israel Airports Authority (IAA) and Jordan’s Public Security Directorate. It is the sole designated exit and entry point for West Bank Palestinians travelling abroad by land. It is also a key trade route for trucks transporting goods between Jordan and the West Bank. On Sept. 18, a gunman, driving a humanitarian aid truck from Jordan, opened fire at the crossing and killed two Israelis before being shot dead. A day later, Israeli authorities closed the crossing. It was then briefly reopened, until Israeli authorities announced later that it would be closed indefinitely. On Sept. 25, the IAA said that it would partially reopen the crossing for passenger traffic only, and that trucks carrying aid to Gaza would not be able to pass under the directive.
(Xinhua)
