Seven people died and 34 others were wounded when masked gunmen opened fire during a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in Jordan’s Karak governorate on Friday, October 23, 2026, prompting a swift security manhunt and strong condemnation from King Abdullah II.
The assault struck the village of Hamoud as mourners gathered for a funeral service. According to Jordan’s Public Security Directorate, survivors reported hearing an explosion just as the procession began before armed attackers broke into the compound and opened fire continuously for several minutes.
State broadcaster Al Mamlaka TV aired footage showing security forces deployed around the church, where blood stained the ground near the entrance. Officials confirmed that 27 of the wounded were receiving treatment in area hospitals.
Security Manhunt and Official Response in Karak
Director of the Public Security Directorate Maj. Gen. Abdallah Al Maaytah told a press conference that the search for the perpetrators was actively continuing, pledging that the perpetrators will be caught and our national unity will not be hit
as reported by The National.
Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya addressed reporters alongside security officials, describing the assault as an unprecedented tragedy perpetrated by a group of extremists. He maintained that the perpetrators had absolutely no connection whatsoever to human values and emphasized that the violence would only strengthen national resolve.
Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya further stated during his news conference that the incident was both painful and horrific, noting it was unparalleled throughout the history of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. State-owned television broadcaster al-Mamlaka reported that the Jordanian monarch arrived in Karak on Friday evening specifically to check on the condition of those injured.
Queen Rania issued a public statement via a post on X declaring that the heinous crime against worshippers in Karak had deeply affected all Jordanians, writing that local hearts remain with the people of Karak and emphasizing that Jordanians reject such a cowardly terrorist act.
Footage from security cameras, verified by the BBC, showed three individuals moving toward the church grounds from a roadway, with two briefly retreating before returning with a third man. Witnesses and regional reporting indicated that the attackers carried a mix of firearms, including an automatic rifle and pistols.
King Abdullah II Vows Retaliation for Attack
King Abdullah II issued a forceful statement on X, vowing that the kingdom would respond to the bloodshed with absolute force.
The terrorist attack against Karak will be met with the harshest retaliation. Those who delude themselves into thinking that they can divide Jordanians with their bullets have no chance in the face of our unity.
King Abdullah II, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
The King subsequently visited wounded survivors in the hospital to check on their recovery, as broadcast on state television. Regional leaders also weighed in, with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun calling the shooting a heinous terrorist attack that violated the sanctity of funeral mourners.
Karak Maintains Stability Despite Rare Violence
While Jordan maintains a reputation for stability within the region, violence targeting houses of worship remains exceptionally rare. The Karak governorate, located about 120 kilometers south of Amman, is home to a Christian minority population living alongside a Muslim majority.
Analysts and religious leaders noted that Karak has weathered historical trials, including a 2016 assault by ISIL fighters at a Crusader-era castle that killed 10 people.