Holy sites in Jerusalem reopen following Israel-Iran ceasefire

Holy sites in Jerusalem, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Western Wall, and the Temple Mount, reopened on April 9, 2026, following a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. These locations had been closed since February 28, 2026, when conflict broke out following joint Israel-US strikes on Iran. The decision by the Israeli Police and the Home Front Command allows for the resumption of visits and prayer services. Hundreds of police officers and volunteers have been deployed across the Old City to maintain public order and ensure safe access for pilgrims and visitors. On the same day, Patriarch Theophilos III performed the traditional Washing of the Feet ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to mark Orthodox Holy Thursday. While some sources report full reopening for worshippers, other reports suggest continued access restrictions remain in place for certain areas of the Old City. Authorities emphasized that these measures are intended to balance freedom of worship with security requirements.