Holy Sites in Jerusalem to Open on Orthodox Holy Thursday

The holy sites - Christian, Jewish and Muslim - had been closed by Israeli police on the first day of the war, which began on Feb. 28

08.04.2026 23:45

Newsroom

Holy Sites in Jerusalem to Open on Orthodox Holy Thursday

File Photo: A downwards view into the rotunda inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem that shows the Tomb of Christ as the miracle of the Holy Fire occurs on 19 Arpil 2014, the day before Easter. Eastern Orthodox Christians believe the Holy Fire, which emenates from within the Tomb of Christ and quickly spreads around the church and outside to Jerusalem and even to foreign countries, represents the flame of the Resurrection power, as well as the fire of the Burning Bush of Mount Sinai. EPA/ABIR SULTAN

08.04.2026 23:45

World

Newsroom

The holy sites - Christian, Jewish and Muslim - had been closed by Israeli police on the first day of the war, which began on Feb. 28

The Holy Sites of the three major monotheistic religions in Jerusalem will reopen on Thursday, Israeli police announced a day earlier, nearly 20 hours after a ceasefire in the war with Iran came into effect.

The Holy Sites are located in the Old City of Jerusalem, a district in the eastern sector of the ancient city that has been occupied and annexed by Israel, namely, the Kotel (Western Wall) for Jews, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Christians, and the Mosque Plaza (Haram al-Sharif) for Muslims.

The latter had been closed by police on the first day of the war, which began on Feb. 28 with Israeli and American strikes against Iran.