Thousands of Christian faithful attended Palm Sunday celebrations at Jerusalem's sacred Mount of Olives, marking the first day of Holy Week as conflict surges across the region.
Pilgrims waved branches and fronds in the air, items that were placed before Jesus' feet as he was greeted by cheering crowds during his entrance into Jerusalem, according to the Bible.
Earlier Sunday, Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre 바카라 revered as the site of Jesus's crucifixion 바카라 also held a service.
The annual celebration came as the Israel-Hamas war rages on in Gaza. However, the conflict appeared to have had little effect on the procession, which swelled to a similar size as last year.
바카라Although there is war, in my impression I don't feel any kind of tension,바카라 said David Manini, a pilgrim from Italy.
The celebration marks the beginning of the most sombre week in the Christian calendar, which marks Jesus' crucifixion on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter.
바카라I'm here because I love Jesus Christ,바카라 said Jennifer Weedon, who travelled form the United States for the occasion.
Since the war erupted, Israel has seen a huge downturn in tourism. The war began on October 7, when Hamas militants from Gaza invaded southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 others hostage. Israel has responded with an air and ground war that has left more than 32,000 Palestinians dead, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory.
One of the placards held by a pilgrim read, 바카라Save us lord. The Church of Saint Porphyrius and Holy Family Church, Gaza.바카라
In late October, Palestinian health officials said that an Israeli strike hit St Porphyrios, a Greek Orthodox church in Gaza where displaced Palestinians were sheltering, killing 18 people.
