‘Prayers in absentia’ performed in Jordan for Palestinians killed in Israeli bombardment in Gaza

By Laith Al-Junaidi and Riyaz ul Khaliq

AMMAN, Jordon/ISTANBUL (AA) - Jordon held special funeral “prayers in absentia” for slain Palestinians, following traditional congregational Friday prayers.

Mosques across the Kingdom performed the prayers for the victims of the Israeli bombardment on the Gaza Strip.

Ahead of the special prayers, the Jordanian Ministry of Endowments issued a circular regarding the prayers in absentia -- held for deceased Muslims whose bodies are not physically present at the site of the prayers.

Imams, or prayer leaders, focused on the situation in Gaza during the sermon before the special prayer.

Worshippers gathered at the Al-Husseini Mosque in the capital and the Al-Kaluti Mosque near the Israeli Embassy, according to an Anadolu reporter.

But security officials urged protesters to adhere to instructions regarding solidarity activities which prohibit demonstrations near the border with Palestine.

Gaza Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf Qudra said at least 16 Palestinian Christians were among those killed Thursday in Israeli attacks on a Greek Orthodox church in Gaza City.

Qudra said the death toll in Gaza from Israel's ongoing bombardment climbed to 4,137.

The number injured rose to 13,300, he said at a news conference, adding that more than 1,000 are missing.

The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, along with stepping up raids and arrests in the occupied West Bank.

Officials have said more than 1,400 in Israel have been killed in the conflict.