Violence and Restrictions Grip Jerusalem as Holy Sites Are Closed
Amid escalating deadly violence, Israeli authorities have asserted control across the West Bank, Gaza, and Jerusalem. Over the past week, Israeli strikes killed at least 18 Palestinians, primarily in Gaza, while settler attacks and army shootings claimed more lives in the West Bank. Simultaneously, access to key holy sites has been severely restricted. The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound has been closed to worshippers since February, with the closure extended to mid-April. In an unprecedented move, Israeli forces barred the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Palm Sunday mass, prompting rare international criticism.
Meanwhile, a US-backed plan to disarm Hamas in Gaza faces an uncertain future as airstrikes continue and humanitarian conditions deteriorate, with fuel shortages threatening hospital services.
