Israel releases 2 Jordanian nationals being held without charges

Jordan agreed to return its ambassador to Israel, recalled over the detentions, as part of the agreement.

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JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel released two Jordanian citizens who had been held in detention without charges for two months.

Israel said the deal included Jordan’s agreement to return its ambassador to Israel, who had been recalled over the detentions.

The Jordanians had entered the West Bank, where they have relatives, and were held over “suspicions of their involvement in serious security violations,” according to the Israel Security Agency.

They were held in administrative detention, which allows Israel to hold suspects indefinitely without being charged.

Heba al-Labadi had been on a 42-day hunger strike over her detention at the time of her release.

It is not known when the envoy, Ghassan Majali, will return to Israel.

Late last month, Jordan arrested an Israeli citizen who it said tried to “illegally infiltrate Jordan through the northern border.”

Israel and Jordan signed a peace treaty 25 years ago. Last month’s anniversary of the signing passed with no formal ceremonies marking the occasion in either country.

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