Police vehicles on a street near the Israeli embassy in Amman, Jordan Nov 24, 2024.
(Photo: REUTERS/Jehad Shelbak)
Jordanian security forces in Jordan closed the road leading to the Israeli embassy in Rabiah, located in the capital city of Amman, early on Sunday morning after a shooting incident in the vicinity.
Saudi news site al-Arabiya reported that a “heavy security cordon” was placed around the embassy following sounds of shooting and that roads to the compound were blocked off.
Al-Arabiya cited local sources who reported ambulances dispatched to the scene.
Shortly after the report in al-Arabiya, the PETRA News Agency in Amman reported that three security guards had been injured in the shooting. The local police instructed residents to remain in their houses until the incident was over.
The Jordanian news site reported that the shooter “is wanted and has a previous criminal record” including drug cases and property damage.
Citing a security official, PETRA said the shooter fired shots with an automatic weapon at a security patrol before fleeing.
After a chase, security forces found the suspect near the Israeli embassy and he was killed in a resulting firefight. Officials said they found an automatic weapon and “incendiary materials” in his possession.
The injured security officers were transported for treatment of moderate injuries. PETRA later confirmed that all three were in stable condition.
Jordanian Minister of Government Communication and Government Spokesman Dr. Mohammed Al-Momani called the attack a terrorist incident.
The area near the Israeli embassy has been a focal point for unrest, largely due to widespread popular support in Jordan for the Hamas organization and the Palestinian cause.
Since Oct. 7, 2023, Israeli Ambassador to Jordan Amir Weissbrod has been on security leave out of concern for his safety.
In March, Jordanian police clashed with protesters near the embassy after false claims of sexual misconduct by Israeli guards toward female Palestinian prisoners circulated widely on Arab social media.
During the March protests, some demonstrators shouted, “Oh Hamas…All of Jordan’s people are behind you.”
There were no reports of any injuries inside the Israeli embassy compound.