An Israeli soldier was killed this morning when Jordanian troops opened fire from positions in the old city of Jerusalem, an area where border incidents have been rare in recent years.
The Jordanians fired shots in three separate attacks; not until the third one did the Israeli soldiers return the fire. United Nations observers arrived on the spot shortly alter the Israeli response, and the firing stopped. Israel urgently asked for a meeting of the United Nations Mixed Armistice Commission. In anticipation of the Israeli complaint to the Mixed Armistice Commission, Jordan submitted a charge that the shooting was started by Israel, along with stone-throwing at Jordanian positions.
The incident was viewed here not as an indication of Jordanian Government policy, but rather as stemming from the initiative of local commanders. Nevertheless, Israeli sources expressed concern and indicated that they planned to ask in the Commission that the Jordanian Government take immediate action to punish those responsible, and to ensure maintenance of firm discipline by the Jordanian gunposts.
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