Israel has taken the decision to close all border crossings with Jordan following a tragic incident where an armed assailant killed three border guards at the King Hussein (Allenby) Bridge border crossing between the occupied West Bank and Jordan. The attacker arrived at the crossing in a truck from the nearby al-Karameh town in Jordan on Sunday morning and opened fire at the border guards, according to the Israeli military.

Initially referred to as Israeli civilians, it was later clarified by the military that the victims were actually private security guards working at the crossing, rather than members of the army or police forces. Israeli security forces operate alongside private security guards at the crossing, which is located in a commercial cargo area under Israeli control where Jordanian trucks unload goods destined for the West Bank.

The alleged assailant has been identified by the Jordanian interior ministry as Maher Ziab Hussein al-Jazi, a resident of the Husseiniya area in Jordan's southern Ma'an governorate. In response to the attack, the Israeli military said they "eliminated" the perpetrator.

The Allenby Bridge, a vital crossing point for trade between Jordan and Israel and serving over three million Palestinians living in the West Bank, has been closed in the wake of the incident, according to Jordan's interior ministry. This closure could potentially disrupt the flow of goods between the two countries, impacting both markets.

The security breach has raised concerns, as the incident occurred in an area with strict security measures in place. Al Jazeera's correspondent reported that there are multiple inspections and searches conducted on Palestinians at the crossing. This breach comes just days after Israeli forces withdrew from the West Bank city of Jenin following a series of raids causing destruction to homes, roads, and water facilities, resulting in the deaths of over 30 Palestinians.

Since October, Israel's intensified operations in the West Bank have resulted in over 600 deaths and the arrest of 10,000 individuals. The Israeli military offensive in Gaza has drawn global condemnation, with accusations of war crimes, and the loss of more than 40,000 Palestinian lives.

The incident highlights the significance of maintaining close security ties between Israel and Jordan, who signed a peace treaty in 1994. Both countries will now have to work to address the security concerns and ensure the safety of personnel and the smooth flow of goods at the border crossings.

The closure of the border crossings is expected to impact the daily arrival of trailers carrying goods from Jordan and the Gulf, which play a crucial role in supplying both the occupied West Bank and Israeli markets. The exact duration of the closure remains uncertain, as authorities continue to investigate the attack and implement necessary security measures to prevent future incidents.