All posts tagged: Jerusalems

The status quo at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque is deteriorating

The status quo at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque is deteriorating

Published by Sam Flores

(RNS) — At first, last week’s investigative report by Middle East Eye journalists, revealing a secret U.S.-Israel plan to end Jordanian custodianship of Jerusalem’s most contentious holy site, seemed far-fetched. The plan purports to replace Jordan’s administrative body with an Israeli-appointed one that would reframe the Muslim site, allowing public access to a “multifaith center.” When questioned, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared surprised. “I’m not even aware of those reports. …  I’ve never heard that,” he said in a congressional hearing about the matter. Rubio then stressed the “great” partnership between the U.S. and Jordan.  But those on the ground were not surprised by the report. The long-standing status quo, dating back to 19th-century Ottoman rule and reinforced by international resolutions and the 2014 U.S.-Israel-Jordan agreement, has been to preserve the site for Muslim worship and allow visitors of other faiths. But in practice, that agreement has been eroding for decades, increasingly so since the war in Gaza in late 2023.  The 14-hectare compound, which includes Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, holds deep …

Jerusalem’s Palm Sunday procession canceled due to Iran war

Jerusalem’s Palm Sunday procession canceled due to Iran war

Published by Sam Flores

JERUSALEM (RNS) — The annual Palm Sunday procession in Jerusalem will be canceled this year due to the war with Iran, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem announced on Monday (March 23). “The restrictions imposed by the conflict and the events of recent days do not bode well for any imminent improvement,” Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the highest-ranking Roman Catholic leader in the Holy Land, said in a statement. “In constant dialogue with the competent authorities, together with the other Christian Churches, we are evaluating how, in the ways to be agreed upon, we can celebrate the central Mystery of our salvation in the heart of our Churches.” Pizzaballa said the “constantly evolving” situation makes it impossible to predict what, if any, communal prayers will be permitted during Holy Week. “We will therefore be forced to coordinate on a day-to-day basis,” he said. Since the start of the Feb. 28 war with Iran, Israel’s Home Front Command has limited the number of people who can assemble in one place to 50 (or up to 100 …

Explosion hits Jerusalem’s Old City after Iran missile alert | Drone Strikes

Explosion hits Jerusalem’s Old City after Iran missile alert | Drone Strikes

Published by Sam Flores

NewsFeed An explosion struck Jerusalem’s Old City seconds after sirens warned of an incoming Iranian missile. Smoke was seen rising at the site as Iran launched multiple attacks, sending millions into shelters. Several were lightly wounded, Israeli authorities said. Published On 20 Mar 202620 Mar 2026 Click here to share on social media share2 Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Source link

Missile Shrapnel Falls in Jerusalem’s Old City Holy Sites, Police Say

Missile Shrapnel Falls in Jerusalem’s Old City Holy Sites, Police Say

Published by Sam Flores

JERUSALEM, March 16 (Reuters) – Shrapnel from ⁠ballistic ⁠missiles fired by ⁠Iran and debris from the Israeli ​interceptors that shot them down fell on Monday ‌around Jerusalem’s walled Old ‌City and some of its most ⁠sacred Christian, ⁠Muslim and Jewish sites, Israeli police said. There were ​no casualties or major damage reported at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre or the nearby ​hilltop plateau known to Muslims as Al-Aqsa compound and ⁠to ⁠Jews as Temple Mount, ⁠a ​flashpoint site that is holy to both faiths. Photos ​distributed by police ⁠showed three officers carrying what appeared to be a large metal ring-shaped part of a missile off a red-tiled roof adjacent to ⁠the Holy Sepulchre, the traditional site of Jesus’ crucifixion ⁠and burial and a popular pilgrimage site. Another image showed a police cordon around a small area in the Al-Aqsa compound plaza which also houses the golden Dome of the Rock, with small fragments strewn on the floor. “Jerusalem District police, bomb disposal teams, ⁠and Border Police units have secured the sites and are currently …

Did Iran Purposefully Target Jerusalem’s Temple Mount with a Ballistic Missile? – OpentheWord.org

Did Iran Purposefully Target Jerusalem’s Temple Mount with a Ballistic Missile? – OpentheWord.org

Published by Sam Flores

A close up photo of Jerusalem’s Temple Mount with its two Islamic building: The Dome of the Rock (Golden Dome on the Right) and the Al Aqsa Mosque (blue minaret on the left).Credit: Jorge Fernandez Salas, unsplash.com With the start of the Iranian war five days ago, Israeli authorities acknowledged that an Iranian missile has just missed Jerusalem’s Temple Mount. Since US and Israel launched their attack on Saturday, Feb 28, 2026, Iranian forces have launched several ballistic missile against Israel. The Times of Israel is reporting people heard an explosion and saw smoke pouring into the sky just outside Jerusalem’s old wall early Saturday morning. This was less than a kilometer away from the Temple Mount. The Temple Mount is Israel’s most holy site. It is the former location of the Jewish Temple that was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. It is now home to two Islamic building the Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. Police inspecting the site found an unexploded Iranian ballistic missile, along with debris. It …