'Dead Sea' Operation: Repercussions on the 'Jordanian Brotherhood'?

A significant controversy has erupted within Jordanian political circles following the Dead Sea operation, in which two young Jordanians opened fire on Israeli soldiers, and shot them dead. 

This incident has ignited discussions regarding the alleged ties of the attackers to the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan.

According to a report by Yedioth Ahronoth, on October 18, 2024, two attackers dressed in Jordanian military uniform who infiltrated “Israel” from Jordan on Friday opened fire near Neot HaKikar located near the Dead Sea 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) away from the border and injured an “IDF soldier and reservist in the area.” 

In contrast, the Jordanian army issued a statement on its official website on the same day, denying reports of military personnel crossing the western border into “Israel.” 

As reported by Al-Estiklal, the Jordanian army dismissed the claims circulating in Israeli media about Jordanian soldiers breaching the kingdom's western boundary, saying, “There is no truth to what is being circulated in Israeli media about Jordanian military personnel crossing the kingdom's western border.” 

Debate Over Affiliation

In the wake of the Dead Sea operation, Moath al-Khawaldeh, spokesperson for the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan, announced that the attackers killed by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) after crossing from Jordan were affiliated with the group.

On October 18, al-Khawaldeh stated in Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the attackers, Hussam Abu Ghazaleh and Amer Qawas, were affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood in Amman. 

The Muslim Brotherhood openly claimed that the two attackers were part of the group and have “always participated in events in solidarity with Gaza and in support of the resistance,” the National reported.

People on social media in Jordan circulated videos of Qawas and Abu Ghazaleh, posted just hours before the Israeli announcement of their deaths, in which each declared himself a "living martyr" prior to the attack.

The Islamic Action Front (IAF)—the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan—welcomed the operation, describing it as a “heroic operation[…]in response to the massacres committed by the occupation against the Palestinian population in Gaza and the West Bank,” as stated in Dawn newspaper.

They further emphasized that this action was an "individual act” in response to Israeli Occupation.

The IAF asserted that this act is not unfamiliar to the Jordanian populace; it represents a longstanding struggle that began with the martyr Kayed Mufleh Obeidat and continues with the martyr Maher al-Jazi to underscore the sacrifices made by the Arab army, whose fallen heroes' blood remains a testament on the hallowed soil of Jerusalem and Palestine.

On September 8, 2024, Maher al-Jazi, a Jordanian truck driver and former soldier, fired professional rounds at three Israeli security personnel at the Allenby border crossing between Jordan and “Israel,” killing them instantly before being shot himself.

Reflecting on his brother, Shadi al-Jazi, from the al-Howeitat family of the larger Judhami tribe, expressed that his brother was deeply angered by the events unfolding in Gaza and distressed by the condition of the Islamic nation. 

Shadi al-Jazi remarked that anyone witnessing the killings of their brothers in the Strip would naturally respond against the Israeli Occupation.

Incitement to Exclusion

In contrast, Jordanian security expert Omar al-Raddad stated that the Muslim Brotherhood's claim of responsibility for the operation carried out by two of its members reflects a profound shift in the Brotherhood's relationship with the state. 

This relationship has historically been characterized by a stance of "neither war nor peace," meaning that the state has framed this connection as one where the Brotherhood is neither an enemy nor an ally.

In an article published on Alsaa News on October 19, al-Raddad noted that the Muslim Brotherhood issued a press statement over 15 hours after the operation, asserting it was an individual act. 

His statement followed the release of the attackers' last wills, a message from the Islamic Action Front commending the operation, and the announcement of a central festival to honor the martyrs. 

Al-Raddad claimed that, unlike the isolated action of Maher al-Jazi, the Dead Sea operation was planned and executed by the Muslim Brotherhood, or at least by a faction within it, in collaboration with Hamas and Iran. 

He suggested that this incident is indicative of the Brotherhood's increasing influence through public activities.

Allegations of Targeting the State

A retired Jordanian officer contended that this activity by the group aimed directly at the Jordanian state, demonstrating allegiance to figures such as Yahya Sinwar, Mohamed Deif, and Abu Obeida. 

He argued that their actions called for the annulment of the peace treaty and sought to undermine the Jordanian government's supportive position toward Palestinians in their homeland.

The retired Jordanian officer urged the Jordanian state to act decisively by dissolving the Muslim Brotherhood and its affiliated party, enforcing anti-terrorism laws, and disbanding parliament. If the situation remains unaddressed, their next move could escalate into an even more significant threat.

In a related context, former Jordanian Minister of Information, Samih Almaitah posted on X on October 18 that "the French news agency reported that the Muslim Brotherhood claimed the attackers in today’s operation (the Dead Sea incident) were members of the group."

Almaitah questioned, “Did they act on the group’s orders, or was it their own initiative, or is there a third party creating cells of Brotherhood members and directing them with the knowledge and involvement of the group's leadership? The answers to these questions will shape a new trajectory for the group's status in Jordan.”

Dead Sea Operation Aftermath

In discussing the implications of the "Dead Sea operation" for the status of the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan, political analyst Hazem Ayyad observed that given the Brotherhood leadership's assertion that the act was an individual one, the political and legal consequences will remain confined to the individuals involved.

Ayyad stated in an interview with Al-Estiklal that "the essence of this operation is not dissimilar to that of Maher al-Jazi, a young man from al-Howeitat tribe, who is regarded as a martyr and a former member of the Jordanian military."

"Al-Jazi was also part of one of the largest tribes, which has been celebrated by Jordanians, particularly his own community, while highlighting that he undertook an individual act reflecting the anger fueled by Israeli atrocities in the occupied Palestinian territories," He added.

"The ongoing debate in Jordan can be viewed as a natural discourse, as the incident invites both political and legal interpretations. These are individual acts, which have posed challenges for many in light of the political and social reactions that have ensued."

“Responses to the incident have ranged from expressions of support to assertions that it was an individual act reflecting widespread discontent in Jordan over the crimes of the occupation.” As noted by Ayyad.

Meanwhile, Murad al-Adailah, the General Supervisor of the Muslim Brotherhood, condemned the persistent incitement campaigns targeting the Islamic movement and its political wing, the Islamic Action Front, in light of their stance on the "Dead Sea operation," as reported by the Jordanian news agency al-Bosala on October 20.

Al-Adailah emphasized that the Islamic movement, having been established for 78 years in the country, is neither a recent development nor an urgent concern. 

According to him, this movement does not necessitate redefinition, especially given the widespread awareness of its actions and positions.

In light of the growing controversy surrounding the Dead Sea operation, Murad al-Adailah underscored the need for clarity in the public discourse. He asserted that the statement from the Muslim Brotherhood clarified any ambiguities in the Islamic Action Front's response, asserting that this was an individual act undertaken by young men motivated by the distress of witnessing the massacres and injustices faced by their people in Gaza. 

The Muslim Brotherhood’s statement also highlighted the ongoing threats posed by Zionist aggression against their nation and community.

In this context, al-Adailah expressed his disappointment that some have seized this campaign against the Muslim Brotherhood as an opportunity to call for the dissolution of parliament following the Brotherhood's electoral success, aiming to undermine the movement and question its national integrity.

He expressed concerns that the continuation of this unjust campaign against the Islamic movement is not in the nation’s interest; inciting against the largest political and social component in the country is tantamount to incitement to strife.

Defending the Movement

As reported in Al-Estiklal, al-Adailah denied any notion of a confrontational relationship with the state, stating, "We in the Islamic movement are part of this society, we respect the law and the constitution, and we fulfill our national role to the best of our abilities."

"There are those who are troubled by the Islamic movement's prominence in the political landscape, leading public sentiment and earning the community's respect." 

“This was evident in the elections and the ballot boxes across Jordan, in its valleys, camps, cities, and villages. Consequently, they seek to undermine the movement.”

Addressing the youth of Jordan, al-Adailah said, "Our struggle against the Israelis is inevitable and will be imposed upon us, so do not rush into battles. We are in a state where we exercise our role in supporting the Palestinian cause, and we will not falter in that commitment. From the outset of this struggle, we have called for the reinstatement of military service and for a popular army to support the state."