Jordan and Israel appeared on Thursday to be putting behind them a diplomatic crisis triggered by the killing last summer of two Jordanians by an Israeli embassy guard.

A report by Jordan’s state news agency Petra said Israel sent an official memorandum, expressing “deep regret” over the July shooting at Israel’s embassy in Amman, offered compensation to the families of the victims and agreed to “follow up” with legal measures.

A statement from the office of Israel’s prime minister said Israel’s Embassy in Jordan would resume full operations immediately. The statement said the shooting incident is being examined and that a conclusion is set to be reached in the coming weeks.

It further said “the countries will work to advance cooperation.” The statement did not mention compensation or an apology.

The shooting strained ties between the neighboring countries which signed a peace agreement in 1994 and cooperate on security and energy issues, among others.

Israel’s ambassador went back to Israel along with the guard and other embassy staff after the incident and Jordan subsequently said it would not permit the return of an Israeli ambassador to Amman unless Israel launched legal proceedings against the guard. The guard, who claimed self-defense, had received a hero’s welcome in Israel, infuriating the Jordanians.

The easing of tensions came ahead of a visit by Vice President Mike Pence to both countries, starting Sunday.

(AP)