Holy Sites Locked Down Amidst War and Holidays

0:00It's March 29. You're listening to Global News today, AI-powered global coverage. Jerusalem's old city holy sites are locked down tight as the war with Iran hits its fifth week, right before Passover and Easter kickoff. Shops have middle shutters down, streets echo empty, and massive plazas sit deserted. No tourists or crowds like usual spring vibes. Unlike past conflicts where enemies held back from hitting near-sake with spots, missiles have rained down here since Israel strikes on Iran back on, February 28th. Shrapnel hit rooftops by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and debris scattered near the western wall, forcing closures and caps on gatherings at just. Fifty people max, rabbis, priests, and shop owners are gutted. Western wall blessings shrunk from tens of thousands to 50, Palm Sunday processions canceled, and now. AQ say stood empty through most of Ramadan. Just like a third-generation storekeeper say it felt like Ramadan never happened, hearts

1:01heavy with no pilgrims or routine. Families pushed through anyway, scrubbing homes for Passover seaters in between shelterdashes from daily sirens, while 16 civilians have died, and dozens got her bed. Easter masses squeezed into 50 at safe spots, and smaller synagogues or mosques stay open if near shelters. Israelis eye the irony of fleeing to Egypt's border for safety during the Exodus holiday story, with Ben Gurion airport on lockdown mode wars flipped. The script on faith, family, and that holy hustle.