Israel-Jordan border
The longest of Israel's frontiers, the border with Jordan has historically been its quietest since the 1994 peace treaty, but it is increasingly viewed as a strategic vulnerability due to Iranian-backed smuggling and infiltration attempts.
The Israel-Jordan border stretches approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles) from the Sea of Galilee in the north to the Gulf of Eilat in the south. Since the signing of the Wadi Araba Treaty in 1994, the border has functioned as a 'peace border,' characterized by security coordination between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Jordanian Armed Forces. However, the regional landscape has shifted significantly in recent years. The border has become a primary conduit for the smuggling of advanced weaponry and narcotics, often facilitated by Iranian-backed networks operating through Syria and Jordan. These efforts are viewed by the Israeli security establishment as part of a broader Iranian strategy to destabilize the Hashemite Kingdom and flood Judea and Samaria with high-grade explosives and arms. In response, Israel has begun planning a major fortification project. This initiative includes the construction of a 'smart' security barrier, similar to those on the Gaza and Egyptian borders, alongside the establishment of new civilian communities and security farms to increase the Israeli presence in the Arava and Jordan Valley regions. Recent incidents, including suspected infiltrations and shrapnel falls near Eilat, underscore the evolving nature of the threat. While the Jordanian monarchy remains a vital strategic partner, the IDF has increased its readiness along the eastern front to prevent it from becoming an active combat zone similar to the borders with Lebanon or Gaza. The defense of this frontier is critical not only for preventing terrorism but also for maintaining the territorial integrity of the Jordan Valley, which Israel considers its eastern security buffer.