Gunmen Kill 7 at Jordanian Christian Funeral
Gunmen opened fire at a Christian funeral in Jordan, killing seven and wounding 34. Attackers shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ during the attack.
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Gunmen opened fire on mourners at a funeral at St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church in the village of Hmood, Jordan, on October 23, 2026, killing seven people and wounding 34. The attack, described as a terrorist act by Jordanian authorities, occurred during a funeral for a local woman. According to the Public Security Directorate, the attackers stormed the church compound and fired for several minutes before fleeing.
Attack Details and Casualties
Witnesses reported that the attackers, who shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ during the attack, began their assault in the church courtyard where most of the mourners were gathered. Security camera footage showed three attackers firing from a sidewalk, with two carrying pistols and one a long gun. The initial casualty reports varied, with the Public Security Directorate later confirming seven deaths and 34 injuries.
Government Response and Investigation
Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya described the attack as an act of extremism by an unidentified group. Security forces launched a manhunt for the perpetrators, and Prime Minister Jafar Hassan is set to chair a security meeting in Karak. The government also imposed a publication ban on information related to the case, with government media exempted.
International Reaction and Context
King Abdullah II vowed the ‘harshest retaliation’ against those responsible, while Queen Rania expressed solidarity with the victims. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack as a ‘heinous terrorist attack,’ and the Gulf Cooperation Council expressed full solidarity with Jordan. The United Nations called the attack on a place of worship during a funeral especially heinous.
Historical Context
Karak, where the attack occurred, was the site of a 2016 attack in which gunmen killed 10 people, including a Canadian tourist, before taking refuge in a Crusader-era castle. The Islamic State later claimed responsibility for that attack. Christians make up about 2 percent of Jordan’s population, highlighting the significance of the attack on a Christian community.
Source: The Gateway Pundit
