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Holy Week Tensions Rise as Israel Blocks Cardinal from Entering Sacred Jerusalem Site

  Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, holds a prayer service to mark Palm Sunday, following the cancellation of the traditional Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives, amid restrictions on gathering in large groups, in Jerusalem, March 29, 2026. Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday, prompting widespread criticism from Christian leaders and governments worldwide. Authorities cited security concerns linked to the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, noting that all holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City had been temporarily closed due to the threat of missile strikes. The Latin Patriarchate condemned the move as an unprecedented disruption of centuries‑old tradition, marking the first time church leaders were unable to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass at the historic site. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later stated that the ...

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U.S. Retaliatory Strikes in Iraq and Syria: Dozens Killed in Escalating Tensions

 

In a significant escalation of tensions, the United States has launched retaliatory airstrikes in both Iraq and Syria. These strikes targeted more than 85 locations linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and the militias it supports. The reported death toll stands at nearly 40 people.

The airstrikes were carried out in response to a deadly attack on U.S. troops by Iran-backed militants. President Joe Biden’s administration swiftly responded with this multi-tiered military action, signaling a firm stance against aggression. The strikes involved the use of long-range B-1 bombers flown from the United States, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

The conflict has intensified, with implications reaching beyond Iraq and Syria. The strikes come amidst ongoing tensions in the region, including the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Iran, a key supporter of Hamas, has maintained a delicate balance, avoiding direct involvement in the regional turmoil while backing various groups across Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, and Syria—the so-called “Axis of Resistance” that opposes Israeli and U.S. interests.

Reactions and Condemnations:

Iran: The foreign ministry spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, labeled the U.S. attacks as “another adventurous and strategic mistake” that would only escalate tension and instability in the region.

Iraq: The Iraqi government condemned the strikes, reporting that they resulted in the deaths of 16 people, including civilians
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Syria: Rami Abdulrahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, confirmed that 23 people guarding the targeted locations lost their lives in Syria.

Despite these retaliatory actions, the Pentagon maintains that it does not seek war with Iran. It believes Tehran shares this sentiment, even as pressure mounts on President Biden to respond decisively. As the situation unfolds, the world watches closely, aware that the stakes are high and the consequences far-reaching.

In this volatile landscape, the question remains: Can diplomacy prevail, or will the cycle of violence continue? Only time will tell, but the recent strikes serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of peace in the Middle East.

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