Jordan Church Shooting: 7 Killed at Karak Funeral
Jordan Church Shooting — At least seven people were killed when gunmen stormed a funeral procession at a Greek Orthodox church compound in the village of Hamoud, Karak governorate in southern Jordan, on Friday, October 23, 2026. Jordan’s Public Security Directorate confirmed the toll at a press conference, revising an earlier figure of six, and said dozens more were wounded, with 27 still hospitalised.
What Happened at the Karak Church
According to Jordanian state broadcaster Al-Mamlaka, at least two gunmen — one carrying a rifle and the other a pistol — opened fire on mourners during the funeral, firing for several minutes. Eyewitness Khaled Burqan told Al-Mamlaka the attack continued unchecked while panicked mourners fled. Another witness told AFP that between 150 and 200 people were present at the procession when the shooting began. Al-Mamlaka aired CCTV footage showing the attackers inside the church compound. A large-scale manhunt was underway late Friday, and no group had claimed responsibility.
Officials’ Response
King Abdullah II vowed the “harshest retaliation” and an “iron fist” response in a post on X, while Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya called the attack “unprecedented” in Jordan. Public Security Directorate chief Obaidullah Al-Maaytah briefed reporters on the casualties. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack on a religious gathering.
Officials cautioned that casualty figures are still being updated: reports of the wounded ranged from the high twenties to 34 across outlets, so the numbers should be treated as preliminary. The identity and motive of the attackers remained unconfirmed as of Friday night, and police have asked the public to rely only on official statements.
Security analysts note that Jordan has rarely seen attacks on Christian religious gatherings, making the incident a major shock in the region. Developments in the Middle East have repeatedly made headlines in recent days, including the US-Israel planning reported for renewed Iran strikes and Trump’s warning to Tehran.
Sources: Al Jazeera, AFP/Reuters wire (via Straits Times), Times of Israel — October 23, 2026