Israel Closes Palestinians' Only West Bank Gateway To Outside World

Last Updated:September 25, 2025, 00:10 IST

Israel closes Allenby Crossing in West Bank, stranding Palestinians in Jordan and raising concerns after Western recognition of Palestinian state

Palestinians look at foodstuffs for sale at a makeshift market in the Mawasi area of Rafah. (AFP)

Israel’s decision to indefinitely close the only land crossing in the occupied West Bank that allowed over 3 million Palestinians to Jordan has intensified fears of more restrictions in the coming days.

CNN quoted the Israel Airports Authority, which administers the crossing, says it was a decision made by the political echelon.

However, this decision came after several Western countries, including Britain, France, Canada and Australia recognised the Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly.

According to Palestinians, the decision to close the international land border, Allenby Crossing, also known as the King Hussein Bridge or Al-Karama Crossing, is retaliatory.

“It’s revenge against the people, and it closely resembles the checkpoints spread throughout the West Bank. This makes us feel like we are living in a large prison," a Palestinian journalist living in the West Bank, Tharwat Shaqra told CNN.

For decades, the Allenby Crossing has been the main route for Palestinians to exit the West Bank without having to enter Israel.

The closure has left the Palestinians stranded in Jordan, including patients receiving medical treatment forced to extend their stays.

CNN quoted Ismail Tamimi, a father in Jordan, as saying that the closure of the border has separated him from his young daughters, who were visiting family in the city of Hebron in the West Bank.

“One of my daughters is diabetic. … She missed her checkup today in Jordan, and I cannot bring her to come here because the border is shut," he said, adding that “schools are also starting, so my children will miss the start."

According to CNN, over half of Jordan’s population of 10 million is of Palestinian descent, and the country is home to more than 2 million registered Palestinian refugees.

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