The Israeli police announced the upcoming Holy Fire descent ceremony in Jerusalem's Old City will have restricted access, with pilgrims unable to attend. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre had been closed earlier, and there was initial hesitation to allow Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa to conduct a Catholic Mass on Palm Sunday for safety reasons. However, after pressure from politicians and a direct intervention from Benjamin Netanyahu, the clergyman was eventually granted permission to enter.

The closure of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which has been shut since February 28, was explained by authorities as a precaution due to the lack of bomb shelters in the area amidst heightened tensions between Iran and Israel in the Middle East. This closure has led to the latest decision to limit access to the Holy Fire descent ceremony, a significant event for many pilgrims.