A gunman was killed, and three policemen were wounded after a shooting near the Israeli embassy in neighboring Jordan, a security source and state media said on Sunday.
Police shot a gunman who had fired at a police patrol in the Rabiah neighborhood of Amman, state news agency Petra reported, citing public security, adding investigations were ongoing.
Jordanian police had earlier cordoned off an area near the heavily policed embassy after gunshots were heard, witnesses said. Two witnesses said police and ambulances rushed to the Rabiah neighborhood, where the embassy is located.
There were moments when gunfire was heard near the Israeli embassy in Amman, which has been vacant of Israeli staff for several months now. pic.twitter.com/EQ4HPIDfag
— GeoInsider (@InsiderGeo) November 24, 2024
Police called on residents to stay in their homes as security personnel conducted a search for the culprits, a security source said.
The area near the heavily policed embassy is a flashpoint for frequent demonstrations against Israel.
Tensions high in Jordan
Back in March, violent clashes between Jordanian forces and protesters erupted in the city, which included instances of stone-throwing and arson aimed at the country’s security forces.
At the time, many demonstrators chanted slogans in support of the Hamas terror group. "Oh Hamas...All of Jordan's people are behind you," the protesters chanted.
Following those clashes, several activists of the Muslim Brotherhood were arrested, including two prominent members of the IAF’s youth sector, Moataz Al-Harout and Hamza Al-Shaghnoubi.
In 2017, an Israeli security officer at the Israeli embassy in Jordan was stabbed in the stomach by a man with a screwdriver.
This is a developing story.
Ohad Merlin contributed to this report.