Seven killed, 34 wounded in attack on Greek Orthodox church in Jordan

At least seven people were killed and 34 others were wounded when gunmen opened fire outside the Greek Orthodox St. George church in the village of Hammad, in southern Jordan’s Karak governorate. The attack took place on Friday, October 23, 2026, as dozens of people gathered for a funeral procession leaving the church.

Jordan’s King Abdullah described the shooting as a terrorist attack in a post on Twitter. Public Security Directorate said two or three armed men emerged from a vehicle and fired during the ceremony, and a search operation to identify the perpetrators is ongoing.

“These attacks will not push us to leave our land.”

Security camera footage broadcast by Jordanian state television and verified by Reuters shows three men shooting outside the church. Two of the attackers carried handguns while the third was armed with an automatic weapon. After opening fire, the men moved toward the church entrance.

Public Security Director Major General Obeidallah Al-Maitah confirmed seven deaths and 34 injuries. Twenty-seven of the wounded remain hospitalized, some with serious injuries.

Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilos III said such attacks will not push Christians to leave their land, adding that any message seeking to uproot them from their holy land would only strengthen their attachment to it and its roots.

The government spokesman announced the launch of an investigation, and authorities immediately mobilized after the incident. No official identities of the attackers have been published so far.