Israeli forces on Saturday turned the city of Jerusalem—particularly the Damascus Gate area and neighborhoods of the Old City—into a military zone, setting up multiple checkpoints as Christian churches marked Holy Saturday, also known as the “Holy Fire,” at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in occupied Jerusalem.
اضافة اعلان
Palestinian sources reported that Israeli forces installed military checkpoints on roads leading to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City, obstructing worshippers from reaching the church to observe Holy Saturday. They also checked the IDs of several young men and prevented some from entering.
Israeli forces imposed strict military measures at checkpoints surrounding occupied Jerusalem.
The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem had called on Friday for Palestinian Christians to participate in the Holy Saturday ceremonies at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Israeli forces had previously closed the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for 40 days and prevented prayers there, citing the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
Christian churches following the Eastern calendar observe Holy Saturday, which precedes Easter Sunday.
WAFAOn Saturday, Israeli occupation forces transformed the city of Jerusalem—specifically the Damascus Gate area and the neighborhoods of the Old City—into a military barrack. They deployed several checkpoints to coincide with Christian churches observing Holy Saturday, or "Saturday of Light," at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in occupied Jerusalem.
Palestinian sources reported that occupation forces set up military roadblocks on the paths leading to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City. These measures obstructed worshippers' access to the church for the Holy Saturday services. Forces also inspected the IDs of several young men and barred them from entering.
Furthermore, the Israeli occupation forces imposed stringent military measures at the checkpoints surrounding the occupied city of Jerusalem.
The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in occupied Jerusalem had called on Palestinian Christians on Friday to participate in the Holy Saturday rituals at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Previously, occupation forces had closed the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for 40 days and prohibited prayers within it, citing the Israeli-American war on Iran as a pretext.
Christian churches following the Eastern calendar observe "Holy Saturday," which precedes Easter Sunday.—(Wafa)
