BICOM

Two Jordanians were killed and an Israeli security guard wounded in an attack yesterday inside the Israeli embassy compound in Jordan’s capital Amman.

Mohammed al-Jawawdeh, a 17 year-old, entered an apartment in the compound to replace the furniture. He began stabbing the guard from behind with a screwdriver multiple times and was shot in response and killed. The landlord was also injured in the attack and later died of his wounds.

According to an Israeli source, the injured security guard is deputy director of security at the Israeli embassy

The Jordanian General Intelligence Directorate issued a statement saying that security forces arrived at the scene shortly after receiving reports of shooting inside the compound and closed access to begin an investigation.

Israel initially imposed reporting restrictions in the immediate aftermath, but the embargo was lifted early this morning.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone with the Israeli ambassador to Amman, Einat Schlein, and with the Israeli guard. The Foreign Ministry said security officials are working with the Jordanian government through various channels.

The guard is reportedly being prohibited by Jordanian authorities from leaving the country, despite having immunity from questioning and arrest according to the Vienna Convention. Relatives of al-Jawawdeh have demanded that the guard be sentenced to death.

Tensions were already high because of Friday demonstrations and riots in Amman and in several Palestinian refugee camps against the Israeli decision to install metal detectors at the entrance to Temple Mount compound following an attack on police officers on July 14.