Jordan Partially Reopens Border Posts with Syria, Saudi Arabia

Vehicles arrive at the Jaber border crossing between Jordan and Syria (Nassib crossing on the Syrian side) in the Jordanian Mafraq governorate in 2018. (AFP)
Vehicles arrive at the Jaber border crossing between Jordan and Syria (Nassib crossing on the Syrian side) in the Jordanian Mafraq governorate in 2018. (AFP)
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Jordan Partially Reopens Border Posts with Syria, Saudi Arabia

Vehicles arrive at the Jaber border crossing between Jordan and Syria (Nassib crossing on the Syrian side) in the Jordanian Mafraq governorate in 2018. (AFP)
Vehicles arrive at the Jaber border crossing between Jordan and Syria (Nassib crossing on the Syrian side) in the Jordanian Mafraq governorate in 2018. (AFP)

Jordan reopened Monday two border posts closed nine months ago due to the coronavirus pandemic -- one with Saudi Arabia, the other with Syria -- the interior ministry said.

But there are strict limits on the numbers allowed in each day and travelers are required to be in possession of a negative PCR test, before taking an additional test upon arrival in Jordan.

Two hundred people per day will be allowed in from Saudi Arabia through the Al-Omari post, and 150 people from Syria through the Jaber crossing, the interior ministry said in a statement.

Jordanian authorities had closed the two posts in August, after staff became infected with coronavirus.

The Jaber post -- called Nassib on the Syrian side -- had only reopened in 2018 after being closed for several years due to Syria's war.

Jordan has recorded a reduction in its coronavirus caseload in recent weeks.

On Monday, it detected 1,272 new cases and 28 deaths, down from 9,269 and around 110 deaths on March 22.



Gaza Rescuers Say Israeli Strikes Kill 24 Palestinians

A boy walks past a destroyed building in the aftermath of an Israeli strike at Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, on January 15, 2025, amid the ongoing war between Israel and the militant group Hamas. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)
A boy walks past a destroyed building in the aftermath of an Israeli strike at Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, on January 15, 2025, amid the ongoing war between Israel and the militant group Hamas. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)
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Gaza Rescuers Say Israeli Strikes Kill 24 Palestinians

A boy walks past a destroyed building in the aftermath of an Israeli strike at Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, on January 15, 2025, amid the ongoing war between Israel and the militant group Hamas. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)
A boy walks past a destroyed building in the aftermath of an Israeli strike at Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, on January 15, 2025, amid the ongoing war between Israel and the militant group Hamas. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)

Gaza's civil defense agency said on Wednesday that Israeli strikes killed at least 24 people across the Palestinian territory, with Israel's military saying it had targeted Hamas militants overnight.

The latest violence, following more than 15 months of war between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas, comes as truce mediator Qatar said negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release deal were in their "final stages”

The civil defense agency said in a statement that 11 bodies were brought to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central Gaza Strip, after Israel struck a family home in Deir el-Balah city during the night.

A seven-year-old boy and three teenagers were among the dead, the agency said.

A separate strike targeted a school building used as shelter for war-displaced Palestinians in Gaza City, killing seven people and injuring several others, the civil defense agency said.

A third strike at dawn hit a house in the Al-Nuseirat refugee camp, killing six people and injuring seven, the agency added.

The Israeli military confirmed that its forces had carried out multiple strikes overnight in Gaza, saying in a statement that they were "precise" and targeted "terrorist operatives.”

Over the past 24 hours, the military said it had struck more than 50 targets across the Gaza Strip.

Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip has killed at least 46,707 Palestinians and wounded 110,265 since Oct. 7, 2023, the Palestinian enclave's health ministry said on Wednesday.