St. George’s Orthodox Church in Karak, Jordan. The church is distinguished by its red dome and historic stone bell tower, topped by a clock and cross, and surrounded by olive trees in a rural setting that reflects the longstanding historical roots of Eastern Christians in the region. Photo credit: Council of Church Leaders in Jordan and official media platforms affiliated with the Orthodox Archdiocese.

Ishtartv.com

Sunday, October 25, 2026

The death toll from the armed attack on St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church in the village of Hamoud, in Jordan’s southern Karak Governorate, has risen to nine, with approximately 40 people injured, according to the latest published reports. The attack took place during a funeral service. As Jordanian security forces continue their investigation and efforts to track down those responsible, King Abdullah II has called for decisive action, a comprehensive review of security measures, and efforts to address the roots of extremist ideology. The attack has prompted condemnations from church leaders and official institutions, alongside calls to protect national unity and prevent the crime from being exploited to fuel division.

Gunmen Open Fire During Funeral Service

The attack took place on Friday, October 23, 2026, at St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church in Hamoud village, in Karak Governorate. Local residents had gathered for a funeral when gunmen opened fire, killing and injuring several people.

According to media reports citing authorities and eyewitnesses, surveillance footage showed armed men approaching the church entrance and opening fire. The precise circumstances of the attack—including the identities of all those involved, their motives, and whether any organization was behind them—remain under investigation by Jordanian authorities.

In its initial briefing, Jordan’s Public Security Directorate reported that seven people had been killed and 34 injured. On Saturday, October 24, the official Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported that the death toll had risen to eight after another injured person died from their wounds. Subsequent reports put the death toll at nine.

Latest Medical and On-the-Ground Developments

Jordanian newspaper Ammon News reported on Sunday morning, October 25, that preparations had begun to transfer the victims’ bodies from Karak Government Hospital to the nearby Hamoud cemetery. It also reported that the injured receiving treatment at Karak Hospital were in stable condition.

The report added that three injured people had been discharged from hospital on Saturday after their conditions stabilized, while further discharges were expected depending on patients’ medical progress. Some victims had sustained direct and serious injuries, making medical intervention more difficult in cases involving internal bleeding.

King Abdullah II Calls for Accountability and a Security Review

Following the attack, King Abdullah II stressed the need to pursue everyone responsible for the crime and bring them to justice, emphasizing that the security of Jordanians and national unity are red lines.

According to Jordanian media reports, the King directed the relevant authorities to:

• Pursue those involved in the attack, as well as anyone proven to have supported or justified the crime, in accordance with the law.
• Conduct a comprehensive security assessment of the response to the attack and strengthen measures to improve preparedness and prevent similar incidents.
• Review policies aimed at countering extremist ideology and address its underlying causes in coordination with relevant religious authorities.
• Counter rumors and misleading information that could be used to spread fear and division among Jordanians.

Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan also stated that state institutions were working to track down those responsible and confront extremism at its roots.

Have the Attackers’ Identities Been Announced?

As of the latest reports available on October 25, Jordanian authorities had not announced definitive findings identifying all the perpetrators or establishing a confirmed link to any particular organization.

A report published by Al Jazeera on October 24 said the investigation was continuing and that the attackers’ identities had not yet been publicly established at the time of publication. Reports also indicated that security forces were continuing their efforts to locate those responsible.

It is therefore important to distinguish between the Jordanian authorities’ characterization of the attack as a terrorist act and the establishment of criminal or organizational responsibility. The latter requires evidence and official investigative findings.

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate Condemns the Attack

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, headed by Patriarch Theophilos III and Archbishop Christophoros, condemned the attack on St. George’s Church in Hamoud.

The Patriarchate offered condolences to the victims’ families, the Jordanian people, and the Hashemite leadership. It also expressed confidence in the ability of Jordan’s security services to pursue those responsible and bring them to justice.

The Patriarchate stressed that the attack would not succeed in undermining national unity or uprooting Christians from their homeland. It reaffirmed that Christians are an integral part of Jordan’s history, present, and future.

Church Bells Ring in Solidarity with the Victims

On Saturday, October 24, church bells rang across Jordan at noon in remembrance of the victims, expressing mourning and solidarity with their families.

Condemnations and messages of condolence also came from church leaders and religious institutions across the region. These statements rejected attacks on places of worship and called for the protection of civilians and for preventing the crime from being used to provoke religious divisions.

The Catholic news service OSV News reported on the ringing of church bells in memory of the victims of the attack, which left nine people dead and dozens injured. Church statements in Jordan also emphasized that the historic relationship between Muslims and Christians forms an integral part of the country’s national fabric.

What Does the Attack Mean for the Christian Presence in the Region?

The significance of the attack extends beyond its death toll because it targeted a place of worship during a religious and social gathering that should have been safe. It has also renewed concerns about attacks on Christian communities and places of worship in a region that has witnessed extremist violence in Iraq, Syria, and Egypt in recent years.

However, determining the specific motives behind this attack—or concluding that it was part of an organized campaign against Christians—requires the results of the Jordanian investigation. The identity or organizational affiliation of the attackers cannot be inferred solely from the nature of the target.

At this stage, priorities include protecting places of worship, ensuring accountability, supporting the families of those killed and injured, and rejecting hate speech and rumors that could be used to incite hostility against any religious community.

Conclusion

As of Sunday, October 25, 2026, the latest available reports indicate that the death toll from the attack on St. George’s Church in Karak has risen to nine, with approximately 40 people injured. Several injured people were reported to be in stable condition, and preparations had begun to transfer the victims’ bodies to Hamoud cemetery.

Jordanian authorities are continuing their efforts to pursue those responsible. King Abdullah II has called for stronger security measures and action against extremist ideology, while church leaders have condemned the attack and reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful coexistence.

The key development now awaited is the official announcement of the investigation’s findings, including the identities and motives of the attackers and any possible organizational links, without prejudging what the evidence may establish.