Israeli occupation forces turned occupied Jerusalem, particularly the Bab al‑Amoud (Damascus Gate) area and the neighborhoods of the Old City, into a military zone on Saturday as Christian churches that follow the Eastern calendar marked Holy Saturday, also known as the Holy Fire, at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
Local sources said Israeli forces deployed heavily throughout the Old City, installing multiple military roadblocks on streets leading to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and obstructing the movement of worshippers attempting to reach the church for the Holy Fire celebrations.
Soldiers stopped many Palestinians, inspected their identity cards, and prevented numerous young men from entering the area.
Israeli forces also imposed heightened military restrictions at the roadblocks surrounding occupied Jerusalem, further limiting access to the city during one of the most significant days in the Eastern Christian calendar.
On Friday, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in occupied Jerusalem had called on Palestinian Christians to participate in the Holy Fire celebrations at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. However, access remained severely restricted.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre had previously been closed for 40 days, after Israeli authorities barred worshippers from entering it under the pretext of the ongoing Israeli‑American war on Iran.
Christian churches that follow the Eastern calendar commemorate Holy Saturday, the day preceding Easter Sunday, with the Holy Fire ceremony in occupied Jerusalem.
