Despite the increasing threat on the eastern border, the IDF stationed soldiers without weapons and with only Rifleman 02 level training at the Allenby Border Crossing, where this morning's (Sunday's) deadly attack took place.
The Allenby Crossing is under the responsibility of the Israel Airports Authority in terms of operations and security. Adjacent to the crossing, on the Israeli side, a unit from the "Jordan Lions" battalion is deployed. Inside the crossing, soldiers from two units operate: Foreign Relations and the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT). Soldiers from these two units underwent basic training in the IDF and were certified as Rifleman 02. Therefore, the IDF decided not to equip them with weapons.
Two weeks ago, Major General Eliezer Toledano, head of the Strategy Division, visited the site and noticed that the soldier at the border crossing were unarmed. He ordered an immediate change, which included further training for soldiers serving at the crossings so they would now earn the Rifleman 03 level and that all soldiers be equipped with weapons.
The IDF said that immediately after Major General Toledano's visit and in light of the multiple threats, they would reinforce the "Jordan Lions" force stationed there. The IDF also noted that in the near future, they would send soldiers stationed there to complete Rifleman 03 training, after which weapons will be issued to all soldiers.
Unfortunately though, these changes come too late to save the the three people who were killed in a shooting incident at the Allenby Terminal in the Jordan Valley earlier today. The IDF deployed forces to the area, and security guards at the terminal managed to neutralize the terrorist in the incident, who opened fire in the goods inspection area of the crossing.
The three victims, in their 50s, are employees of the Israel Airports Authority. Their deaths were confirmed after MDA forces arrived at the scene and performed unsuccessful resuscitation. One of the victims is Yochanan Schori, 61, a forklift operator from Ma'ale Efraim and a father of six. Another victim is Yuri Birnbaum, 65, a resident of Na'ama in the Jordan Valley.
* Maariv contributed to this article.
