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Israel: Guard at Embassy in Jordan Killed 2 Jordanians After Being Attacked

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Security officials park near the approach toward the Israeli embassy in Amman, Jordan, on Sunday, July 23, 2017.
Security officials park near the approach toward the Israeli embassy in Amman, Jordan, on Sunday, July 23, 2017.

Israel's Foreign Ministry said Monday an Israeli security guard at the country's embassy in Jordan killed two Jordanians in a shooting that happened after one of them attacked him with a screwdriver.

The ministry statement said two Jordanian workers and a Jordanian landlord were at the embassy in Amman on Sunday as part of the process of replacing furniture at a residential building.

It said one of the workers attacked the security guard from behind before being killed, while the landlord was injured and later died. The guard was "slightly wounded."

Israeli Embassy, Amman, Jordan
Israeli Embassy, Amman, Jordan

The ministry also said it was working with the Jordanian government, and that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had spoken with the security guard.

Jordan's Public Security Directorate said authorities were investigating the incident. Israel says the security guard has diplomatic immunity from investigation and imprisonment.

Tensions between Israel and Jordan have increased in the past few weeks as the Jewish state installed metal detectors at a Muslim holy site in east Jerusalem of which Jordan is the Muslim custodian.

The new security measures led to protests Friday in Amman.

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