In the fortified old city of East Jerusalem, security has been increased as it is a holy site for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. This area was occupied and annexed by Israel in 1967. Thousands of Palestinians gathered at the Al-Aqsa Mosque for Friday prayers coincidentally, celebrating Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting.
Among the visitors were believers of all ages, men carrying wooden crosses, nuns, and tourists. The sanctity of the city was evident to many, including Italian Mario Tioti who felt the presence of Christ in the area where he walked.
However, tensions were high in the region following an attack by Hamas in October resulting in significant casualties on both sides. This led to a heightened sense of anxiety among some individuals traveling to Jerusalem during this time. Australian John Timmons expressed mixed emotions about being in Jerusalem during Good Friday while considering recent events in Gaza Strip. Despite this, he mentioned feeling emotional and sad about his experience.
