Seven people were killed in a shooting at the Hamoud Church in Karak governorate on 23 October 2026. Jordan's health minister reported that 40 people were wounded in the attack. US ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz described the event as a "depraved and brutal attack on a house of worship." Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan stated, "This is a result of a terrorist ideology and blind extremism and we will not allow society to go down this path." Witness Ihab Ammareen said, "People were crying, wailing, screaming — it’s hard to describe." Hani Al-Mbaydeen added, "What happened today has left people unable to speak or raise our voices. But our only reproach to the state is that it must investigate these dark ideas."
Details of the Attack
Security camera footage captured three individuals firing weapons at the Hamoud Church from a sidewalk before they proceeded to run toward the building’s entrance. The footage provides a clear visual record of the movements of the three individuals as they initiated the assault from the public sidewalk directly outside the church premises. Following the initial barrage of gunfire, the three individuals were seen moving rapidly toward the entrance of the building. Major General Abdallah al-Maaytah, head of the Public Security Directorate, confirmed the attack was carried out by extremists.
The investigation into the activities of these three individuals remains ongoing under the direction of the Public Security Directorate. Major General Abdallah al-Maaytah indicated that the authorities are working to determine the full extent of the planning behind this operation. The proximity of the sidewalk to the Hamoud Church entrance allowed the attackers to target the building immediately upon their arrival at the scene.
King Abdullah visited Karak hours after the incident took place on 23 October 2026. During his visit to the site, the monarch inspected the area surrounding the Hamoud Church and met with local officials to discuss the security situation following the violence. The monarch vowed that the perpetrators would face consequences for their actions, emphasizing that the state would pursue those responsible for the loss of life and the injuries sustained by the 40 people wounded in the attack.
King Abdullah addressed the situation directly, stating, "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." The King’s visit served as a formal acknowledgment of the gravity of the event in Karak governorate. By arriving at the location within hours of the shooting, King Abdullah signaled the state's prioritization of the investigation into the three individuals who carried out the assault. The government continues to coordinate with security agencies to ensure that the individuals involved in the shooting at the Hamoud Church are held accountable for the deaths and the widespread harm caused to the community.
