Seven people were killed and 28 others wounded in a shooting at St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church in Hmood, Karak Province, Jordan, on Friday, 23 October 2026. The attack took place during a funeral service held at the site. A witness who spoke to CNN described the scene, stating, "they struck people who were gathered to grieve and mourn. I never ever imagined anything like this would ever happen anywhere in Jordan." Authorities have not yet identified a suspect in the incident. Emergency responders transported the injured to medical facilities for treatment as security forces secured the area surrounding the church. Investigations into the motive and circumstances of the shooting are currently underway.
Details of the Attack
Karak Province is situated approximately 180 kilometers (112 miles) south of Amman. Witnesses reported that gunmen shouted the jihadist slogan "Allahu Akbar" during the attack. The violent incident, which occurred on Friday, October 23, 2026, resulted in at least seven people being killed and 28 others being wounded while they were gathered at the St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church in Hmood, Karak Province, Jordan.
The Rev. Botrus Mansour, secretary general of the World Evangelical Alliance, stated: "The WEA condemns the attack by masked men that targeted a church funeral in the village of Hmoud in the Karak Governorate, south of Amman, leaving seven dead and 28 injured." He added: "The World Evangelical Alliance rejects, without qualification, all forms of violence and any assault on the God-given right to life and personal security, regardless of any claimed motives or justifications."
King Abdullah addressed the nation following the incident. He declared: "The blood of Jordanians is precious, and we will strike with an iron fist against anyone who oversteps against this country." Authorities continue to maintain a security presence at the site as investigations proceed.
Official Response and Condemnation
Interior Minister Mazen al-Farrayeh characterized the shooting as a terrorist operation. He identified the perpetrators of the attack as a group of extremists during his briefing on the security situation in Karak Province. Minister Mazen al-Farrayeh further described the attack as a terrorist operation carried out by a group of extremists.
Jordanian society maintains a demographic where Christians account for 2 to 3% of the total population. These citizens reside alongside the Muslim majority across the country. This demographic, in which Christians make up 2 to 3% of Jordan’s population, has long been a feature of the nation’s social fabric. As the government continues its investigation into the assault at the church in Hmood, security forces remain deployed throughout the Karak Province to prevent further instability. The state remains focused on identifying the individuals responsible for the deaths of the seven victims and the injuries sustained by the 28 others who were targeted during the funeral service.
