{"id":49593,"date":"2026-04-09T09:39:55","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T13:39:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/jerusalem-holy-sites-reopen-to-worshippers-after-war-restrictions-lifted\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T09:39:55","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T13:39:55","slug":"jerusalem-holy-sites-reopen-to-worshippers-after-war-restrictions-lifted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/jerusalem-holy-sites-reopen-to-worshippers-after-war-restrictions-lifted\/","title":{"rendered":"Jerusalem Holy Sites Reopen to Worshippers After War Restrictions Lifted"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) \u2014 Religious worshippers returned to Jerusalem’s sacred sites on Thursday following Israel’s decision to remove gathering restrictions that had been in place for almost six weeks during the conflict with Iran.<\/p>

Jerusalem police announced Wednesday their plan to remove all limitations at religious locations while deploying hundreds of officers and volunteers throughout the city.<\/p>

During the recently paused conflict, when Iranian missile strikes frequently forced Jerusalem residents to seek shelter, access to Christian, Jewish, and Muslim sacred locations had been either completely banned or limited to small groups of several dozen people.<\/p>

The limitations significantly impacted Lent, Passover, and Ramadan observances for many believers at some of the most sacred locations for Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.<\/p>

According to Jerusalem’s Islamic Waqf, the Jordanian religious authority overseeing the site, the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound reopened for dawn prayers Thursday after being shuttered for most of Ramadan and the Eid al-Fitr celebration. At the nearby Western Wall in the Old City \u2014 Judaism’s most sacred prayer location worldwide \u2014 numerous men and women were observed in prayer.<\/p>

The timing of the restriction removal benefits Orthodox Christians, who will celebrate Easter this Sunday, one week following Catholic and Protestant celebrations and ahead of the ancient Holy Fire ceremony tradition.<\/p>

This Saturday, thousands of Christians will assemble in the vast Church of the Holy Sepulchre carrying unlighted candles as they fill the expansive 12th-century basilica constructed where Jesus was traditionally crucified and entombed. The Greek patriarch will ignite candles, with the flame then spreading from candle to candle.<\/p>

Last month, the restrictions created controversy when Israeli police blocked Catholic leaders from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for a private Palm Sunday Mass \u2014 the first such prevention in centuries. This action prompted widespread criticism from the United States and other nations.<\/p>

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated there was no “malicious intent” and explained that Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa was denied church access due to safety considerations. He was subsequently permitted entry on Easter Sunday.<\/p>

Thursday brought celebration among worshippers entering Al-Aqsa for the first time in weeks.<\/p>

“It is as if human beings are reborn,” said Mohammed Al-Qassas. Being unable to pray during this period is like “feeling hungry all the time,” he said.<\/p>

“It’s impossible to describe this feeling … It was one of the most happiest moments in my life,” said Biljana Vaslic, a tourist from Serbia who, until now, hadn’t been able to enter the church.<\/p>

However, some criticized Israel for exploiting the war to limit access. “This is a grace from God after 40 days of using the war as a pretext, but God has granted steadfastness in this mosque,” said Omar al-Kiswani, director of the mosque.<\/p>

Prior to the war, heightened restrictions on Al-Aqsa access were already in effect.<\/p>

During early February Friday Ramadan prayers, Israel limited West Bank Palestinians entering to 10,000 people, permitting only men over 55, women over 50, and children up to 12. Similar past restrictions have been implemented citing security reasons.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Israeli authorities have removed restrictions on religious gatherings at Jerusalem’s sacred sites following nearly six weeks of conflict with Iran. The reopening allows Christians, Muslims, and Jews to return to worship at locations that had been closed or severely limited during the fighting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":49592,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[835],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-49593","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-religious"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775741995109.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-cTT","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":44111,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/catholic-cardinal-barred-from-holy-sepulchre-church-during-palm-sunday-service\/","url_meta":{"origin":49593,"position":0},"title":"Catholic Cardinal Barred from Holy Sepulchre Church During Palm Sunday Service","author":"Admin","date":"March 29, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Israeli authorities prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem from conducting Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, citing security concerns related to the Iran conflict. The incident marks what church officials say is the first time in centuries that religious leaders have been blocked from the sacred\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Religious"","block_context":{"text":"Religious","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/religious\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774794112315.jpg?fit=450%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":23890,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/thousands-gather-for-first-al-aqsa-ramadan-prayers-since-gaza-ceasefire\/","url_meta":{"origin":49593,"position":1},"title":"Thousands Gather for First Al-Aqsa Ramadan Prayers Since Gaza Ceasefire","author":"Admin","date":"February 20, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Tens of thousands of Muslim worshippers attended Friday prayers at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, marking the first Ramadan gathering since the October ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Israeli authorities limited West Bank Palestinian access to 10,000 people with age restrictions, while deploying over 3,000 police officers for security.","rel":"","context":"In "World News"","block_context":{"text":"World News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/world-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771590783513.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771590783513.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771590783513.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771590783513.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":50846,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/israeli-minister-visits-controversial-jerusalem-holy-site-sparks-regional-tensions\/","url_meta":{"origin":49593,"position":2},"title":"Israeli Minister Visits Controversial Jerusalem Holy Site, Sparks Regional Tensions","author":"Admin","date":"April 12, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir made a provocative visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Sunday, calling for expanded Jewish prayer access at the sacred site. The visit drew sharp criticism from Jordan and raised concerns about potential violence at one of the Middle East's most sensitive religious locations.","rel":"","context":"In "World News"","block_context":{"text":"World News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/world-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775992870184.jpg?fit=450%2C254&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":44121,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/jerusalem-police-block-catholic-leaders-from-palm-sunday-service-at-holy-sepulchre\/","url_meta":{"origin":49593,"position":3},"title":"Jerusalem Police Block Catholic Leaders from Palm Sunday Service at Holy Sepulchre","author":"Admin","date":"March 29, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Israeli authorities denied Catholic Church leaders access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Palm Sunday Mass, citing safety concerns amid ongoing conflict with Iran. This marks the first time in centuries that Catholic officials have been prevented from celebrating the holy day at the sacred site. Italy has\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Religious"","block_context":{"text":"Religious","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/religious\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774798608820.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774798608820.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774798608820.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774798608820.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":40486,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/jerusalems-al-aqsa-mosque-shuttered-during-eid-as-iranian-missile-debris-hits-old-city\/","url_meta":{"origin":49593,"position":4},"title":"Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque Shuttered During Eid as Iranian Missile Debris Hits Old City","author":"Admin","date":"March 21, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Israeli officials blocked Muslim worshippers from entering Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque for Eid al-Fitr prayers Friday, marking the first such closure since 1967. The unprecedented restriction came as fragments from an intercepted Iranian ballistic missile struck the Old City near major religious sites.","rel":"","context":"In "World News"","block_context":{"text":"World News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/world-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774106463084.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":49390,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/middle-east-ceasefire-threatened-by-israeli-strikes-iran-mine-deployment\/","url_meta":{"origin":49593,"position":5},"title":"Middle East Ceasefire Threatened by Israeli Strikes, Iran Mine Deployment","author":"Admin","date":"April 9, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A fragile two-week ceasefire between Iran and Israel faces collapse after deadly Israeli attacks in Lebanon and Iran's reported placement of sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump has warned of military action if the tentative agreement fails, while holy sites in Jerusalem have reopened after being restricted\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "World News"","block_context":{"text":"World News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/world-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775713081934.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775713081934.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775713081934.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775713081934.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49593","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49593"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49593\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49592"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49593"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49593"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49593"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}