Jerusalén, 30 de marzo de 2026.- Diez Palestinians died in recent hours in the Gaza Strip, including seven in an Israeli bombing of a police post and a minor killed in the south of the enclave, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
The total number of Palestinians who have died since the ceasefire came into force in October 2025 stands at 702, while 1,913 have been injured during the same period. Emergency teams in Gaza have rescued 756 bodies buried under the rubble during the ceasefire. The total death toll since October 7, 2023 amounts to 72,278.
In another development, Israeli authorities prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from celebrating Palm Sunday mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Israeli police blocked access for Pizzaballa and the Custodian of the Holy Land, Francesco Ielpo, to the holy site.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the measure for security reasons due to the regional conflict and the war with Iran. His office stated that Israeli security forces are developing a plan to allow church leaders to hold services at the sacred site in the coming days. The Old City’s holy places remain closed because of the war with Iran.
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem described the measure as “disproportionate and unusual,” while the United States ambassador called it an “unfortunate excess.”
In parallel, Pakistan will host talks between the United States and Iran “in the coming days,” according to Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The peace initiative has the support of China and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Meanwhile, the United States government has more than 50,000 troops deployed in the Middle East, approximately 10,000 more than usual. The deployment of 2,500 Marines and another 2,500 naval personnel this week increased the number of troops in the region. The troops are distributed across bases and ships in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait.
President Donald Trump has postponed until April 6 the ultimatum given to Iran to unblock the Strait of Hormuz.