Good Friday Observances Diminished in Jerusalem Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict

Christians faced unprecedented restrictions and thinner crowds during their sacred Good Friday rituals in Jerusalem's Old City, as the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas casts a shadow over Easter celebrations.

Hundreds of Palestinian Christians participated in a customary Good Friday procession in Jerusalem's Old City, with significantly reduced attendance due to the Israel-Hamas war.
Israeli security measures and restrictions have limited access to Jerusalem for Palestinian Christians from the West Bank, impacting traditional Easter celebrations.
Despite fears, the Muslim holy month of Ramadan has passed peacefully in Jerusalem, with tight Israeli security ensuring calm at the revered Al-Aqsa mosque.
Local shopkeepers report a stark contrast to previous years' Easter festivities, with few tourists and locals attending due to the conflict and restrictions.
Christians around the world, including those in diaspora, carry Palestinians in their prayers, hoping for peace to return to the region amid the ongoing conflict.