Seven Killed in Church Shooting During Jordan Funeral

Gunmen opened fire during a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in Karak, Jordan, on October 23, 2026, killing seven people and wounding 40 others, authorities said. The attack in the city about 180 kilometres south of Amman prompted Jordan to declare three days of national mourning.

Funeral Shooting Casualties and Hospitalization Status

Seven people died in the assault, and 40 others sustained injuries inside the church. Jordanian Health Minister Ibrahim al-Budour stated that two of the wounded individuals remain in critical condition at Prince Ali Military Hospital.

Witness Accounts and Security Footage Details

Footage broadcast on Jordanian state television captured two suspects appearing to hold pistols approach the church and open fire. A third man carrying what appeared to be a semi-automatic rifle then joined the attack before all three ran toward the building.

Dorgham Halasa, a mourner inside during the service, told reporters that intense gunfire broke out roughly 15 minutes after the funeral started. It was a weird situation, and heavy gunfire, Halasa said, adding that other witnesses reported seeing up to four assailants.

Government Condemnations and Regional Reactions

King Abdullah II posted a statement on X declaring that Jordan will confront the terrorist act that targeted Karak with the harshest penalties and offered his deepest condolences to the families of the martyrs, and our wishes for recovery to the wounded. Prime Minister Jafar Hassan stated during a security meeting in Karak that the attack was the result of terrorist ideology and blind extremism, promising that authorities would punish the perpetrators and take legal action against those introducing extremism.

Regional leaders and international officials condemned the killings. Ahmed al-Tayeb, the grand imam of Al-Azhar, characterized the incident as a heinous terrorist attack. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein contacted his Jordanian counterpart to express solidarity, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the shooting especially heinous through spokesman Stéphane Dujarric.

Unresolved Investigation and Historical Context

Government officials stated that unknown assailants carried out the attack and that investigations are proceeding at full speed, though authorities have not yet announced whether any gunmen were captured or killed. The Associated Press noted that security services did not immediately release detailed suspect information.

Karak houses a minority Christian population and experienced a similar security incident in 2016, when gunmen ambushed police in multiple locations including a popular tourist Crusader castle. That prior ambush killed 10 people—including seven officers and a Canadian tourist—before security forces killed the attackers after a long standoff.