Himalini Desk | International News
Amman, October 24, 2026: At least seven people were killed and 34 others injured after gunmen opened fire during a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in southern Jordan on Friday, October 23, according to local authorities.
The attack took place in the Hamoud area of Karak Governorate, approximately 180 kilometres south of the capital, Amman. The shooting has sparked widespread grief and condemnation in the Muslim-majority kingdom, where attacks of this nature are rare.
Gunmen Open Fire During Funeral
According to eyewitness accounts and reports from Jordanian authorities, armed assailants arrived at the church in a vehicle and opened fire while a funeral ceremony was taking place.
Footage broadcast by Jordanian state television reportedly showed three armed men approaching the church before the shooting. Witnesses described scenes of panic as people attempted to escape the gunfire and seek shelter.
One eyewitness said the attackers fired repeatedly before fleeing the scene. Reports indicated that between 150 and 200 people were in and around the church at the time of the incident.
Authorities said 34 people were wounded in the attack, with several requiring continued medical treatment. The investigation remains ongoing.
King Abdullah Vows Strong Action
Jordan’s King Abdullah II strongly condemned the attack and vowed that those responsible would face severe punishment.
The country’s Interior Minister, Mazen Al-Faraya, described the perpetrators as extremists, while security agencies launched a search operation to identify and apprehend the attackers.
As of the latest available reports, no group had claimed responsibility for the shooting. Authorities had not publicly established the identities of the assailants or confirmed any links to a particular organisation.
International Condemnation
The attack drew condemnation from regional leaders and religious figures. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun denounced the killings, warning against violence that threatens peaceful coexistence and seeks to create divisions within society.
The incident has also renewed concerns about the safety of religious minorities and the protection of places of worship. Christians constitute a minority in Jordan, which has traditionally maintained a reputation for relative stability in a region affected by prolonged conflict and extremist violence.
Karak itself witnessed a major security incident in 2016, when gunmen killed 10 people, including seven police officers, in a series of attacks.
Investigation Underway
Jordanian security authorities are continuing their investigation and efforts to track down those responsible. The government has pledged a firm response to the attack.
The shooting during a funeral has left families mourning their loved ones and raised fresh concerns about the security of civilians attending religious ceremonies.
The incident underscores the importance of protecting places of worship and preserving communal harmony, regardless of religious identity.
— Himalini Desk
