Ammon News - Seven people were killed and 40 others injured in a terrorist shooting targeting a church in the village of Hamoud, in Jordan’s Karak Governorate, on Friday.

Three armed men arrived in a vehicle, got out, and opened fire on the church, where a funeral service was being held for a deceased woman.

Around 150 to 200 people were present at the time. The attack left seven people dead and 40 injured, according to the final toll.

Security camera footage showed the attackers carrying weapons and firing at worshippers. One of them was armed with an automatic rifle, while the other two fired pistols at close range.

According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen initially opened fire on people outside the church hall, prompting worshippers to leave the hall, where they were met with heavy gunfire.

Witnesses said the attackers fired for more than five minutes, possibly up to 10 minutes. They targeted people outside the church before directing their fire toward the church entrance and fleeing the scene.

Following the attack, Civil Defense teams transported the deceased and injured to Prince Ali Military Hospital and Karak Government Hospital.

Prince Ali Military Hospital received 26 injured people, while Karak Government Hospital received 14. Several injured people were subsequently transferred to Al-Hussein Medical City.

The Public Security Directorate (PSD) confirmed that efforts to track down the attackers were ongoing and that investigations were progressing rapidly. It said the findings would be announced as they become available.


*King: We will strike with an iron fist against those who dare to threaten our nation


His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein—who traveled directly to the Karak Governorate to oversee the immediate measures taken by the government and to check on the condition of those injured—affirmed in a post on X that the terrorist attack against Karak will be met with the harshest retaliation.

In a post on X, his Majesty wrote: "Those who delude themselves into thinking that they can divide Jordanians with their bullets have no chance in the face of our unity. All Jordanians, from north to south, are partners in land and fate, and nothing stands between them. Our deepest condolences to the families of the martyrs and we wish a speedy recovery to those injured."

The King added: "Every Jordanian life is precious, and we will strike with an iron fist against those who dare to threaten our nation."


*Crown Prince: Bullets of terrorism would not diminish Karak or its history

Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II said that the cowardly bullets of terrorism would not diminish Karak or its history, rich in honor and dignity.

"The Jordanians will remain united in confronting anyone who attempts to undermine the security and stability of our homeland," the Crown Prince said.

He extended his condolences to the families of the martyrs and wished the injured a speedy recovery.


*Queen: Tears of Humud village are the tears of every Jordanian

Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah on Friday expressed deep sorrow over the attack targeting worshipers in Karak Governorate, saying the tragedy that has befallen the village of Humud and its residents is a loss shared by all Jordanians.

In a social media post, Her Majesty said the heinous crime had deeply saddened everyone, as a treacherous hand struck peaceful worshipers in Karak.

"The wound is painful, and the loss is shared by all. The tears of the village of Humud and its residents are the tears of every Jordanian," she said.

"Our hearts are with our people in Karak. May God have mercy on the innocent victims, grant the injured a speedy recovery, and protect Jordan and its people from all harm," Her Majesty added.



*National mourning

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Friday issued a communiqué declaring three days of national mourning across the Kingdom, starting Friday, October 23, 2026, following the deadly terrorist attack on the Greek Orthodox Church in the village of Humud in Karak Governorate.

During the mourning period, flags will be flown at half-mast atop the buildings of ministries, government departments, public institutions and agencies in tribute to the innocent victims killed in what the government described as a heinous and cowardly terrorist attack.

The measure also expresses the grief and solidarity of all Jordanians over the tragic incident.

The government extended its sincerest condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims, the people of Karak and citizens across the Kingdom. It prayed that God grant the martyrs His boundless mercy, give their families patience and solace, and grant the injured a speedy recovery.

Chairing a security meeting at the Karak Governorate building on Friday evening, Hassan affirmed that those responsible for the criminal act that claimed the lives of innocent Jordanians in Karak on Friday would not escape punishment.

Hassan said His Majesty King Abdullah II had directed all state agencies to mobilize their resources and efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure they receive the punishment they deserve.

"Our agencies will spare no effort, and we will apprehend them," the prime minister said.

"This is the result of terrorist takfiri ideology and blind extremism, and we will not allow society to follow this path," Hassan added.


*Terrorist operation

Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya said the terrorist attack that left six people martyred and around 29 injured at a church in Karak had struck all Jordanians at their core.

He said the country was facing a terrorist operation carried out by perpetrators of a heinous act, stressing that the cowardly terrorist attack would only strengthen Jordanians' determination and resolve to reject violence and extremism in all their forms.

Speaking at a press conference in Karak, Al-Faraya said the government would do everything necessary to help the families of the martyrs overcome this difficult time. He noted that the cowardly attack was carried out by a group of individuals who possess no human values.

He stressed that security agencies are working to apprehend the perpetrators.


* Publication ban
Amman Prosecutor General Hassan Al-Abdallat has issued a gag order on the investigation into the incident that occurred in the vicinity of Hamoud Church in Karak Governorate, pursuant to Article 39 of the Publications and Publishing Law and Article 225 of the Penal Code.

The decision requires all audiovisual, print and digital media outlets, as well as social media platforms, to refrain from publishing any news or information related to the case or the course of the investigation, or anything that could influence the administration of justice, under penalty of legal and judicial accountability.

The ban covers all news related to the case, as well as the circulation of information concerning the publication ban itself. Official government media operating under the supervision of the Ministry of Government Communication are exempt from the decision.

The ban also prohibits the circulation or republication of photographs, videos or information related to the case under investigation.


* Rumors

Despite a gag order, rumors circulated among citizens suggesting that one of the perpetrators of the attack had been released on bail just weeks earlier; however, Minister of Interior Mazen Al-Faraya denied this.

Speaking from a mourning gathering in the village of Humud, the Minister affirmed that the claims regarding the prior release on bail of one of the individuals involved in the terrorist attack on the church are untrue.

Earlier that day, security sources also denied reports—which had been circulating as rumors—that a separate shooting incident had taken place in Madaba Governorate.

The Public Security Directorate warned against the dissemination of any information concerning the shooting at the church in Karak, urging the public to rely solely on official statements as they are released, and cautioned that those who violate this directive may face legal action.


* Solidarity Gathering

On Friday evening, grassroots groups, political parties, and Muslim and Christian clergy held a solidarity gathering in front of the Greek Orthodox Church in the Sweifieh district of Amman. The event was organized to express outrage and strong condemnation of the cowardly terrorist act that targeted a church in the Karak Governorate.

The gathering was attended by government ministers, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, representatives from political parties and youth organizations, tribal leaders, and a large crowd of citizens. Participants held Jordanian flags, lit candles, and chanted slogans emphasizing national unity and Jordan’s resilience against any attempts to undermine its security and stability.

Those present asserted that this brutal terrorist assault bears no relation to the values ​​of the Jordanian people or the teachings of the Abrahamic religions. They stressed that the destructive hand of terrorism would never succeed in weakening the robust fabric of Jordanian society; rather, it would only strengthen the people’s resolve and cohesion in the face of extremist, dark ideologies.

Representatives of both the Muslim and Christian clergy expressed their categorical rejection of these criminal acts, which are devoid of all human values. They noted that this profound tragedy is felt by every Jordanian household, without exception. They further highlighted that the fraternal bond uniting Jordanians has endured throughout history, serving as an exemplary model of coexistence, brotherhood, and national solidarity.

*Grand Mufti: The attack is a heinous crime that violates Islamic law

Grand Mufti of Jordan Ahmad Al-Hassanat condemned the attack on Al-Hammoud Church in Karak Governorate, describing it as a heinous crime that violates Islamic law, which prohibits the unjust killing of human beings.

In a statement issued Friday, Al-Hassanat said Christian lives are as inviolable as Muslim lives and must never be subjected to aggression under any circumstances.

He cited the Quranic verse: "Whoever kills a person unjustly, it is as though he has killed all mankind." Al-Hassanat added that targeting innocent people constitutes an assault on the nation and the unity of its people, as well as an attempt to sow discord and division among Jordanians. He stressed that the criminal act would not undermine the cohesion of Jordanian society or the values of coexistence and brotherhood among its members.

He noted that both religious and national duty require condemning the attack and upholding the values of cooperation and tolerance, citing another Quranic verse: "Cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression." Al-Hassanat extended his sincere condolences to the families of the victims, praying that God grant them His vast mercy, provide the injured with a speedy recovery, and protect Jordan and its people.


* Widespread International Condemnation

International and United Nations condemnations poured in following the terrorist attack that targeted the church in Karak.

The village of Humud is a Jordanian village located in the Karak Governorate. Administratively, it falls under the Al-Qasr District, situated approximately 25 kilometers northeast of the city of Karak and about 7 kilometers east of the center of the Al-Qasr District.

The village possesses a distinct traditional character and a deep-rooted familial history; it has been inhabited by the Halsah clan for hundreds of years. It features old stone houses and various heritage landmarks, such as an ancient flour mill.