QuarexNews

Passover in Jerusalem ended at 7:36 p.m. on April 2, 2026, marking the conclusion of the first day of the holiday celebrated under heightened security conditions due to the ongoing Iran war. Missiles from Iran were launched towards North and Central Israel during the holiday period, affecting celebrations across the city.

Traditional Easter ceremonies at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre were held in a symbolic and limited format with just clergy present, as the security situation did not allow for large-scale gatherings. The chrism mass, with a blessing of holy oil where priests renew their vows, was postponed "to a date to be determined".

The U.S. Embassy announced it would be closed on Thursday April 2 and Friday April 3, citing security concerns as the war continues to impact daily life in Jerusalem and throughout Israel.

Israeli authorities advanced or approved 36,973 housing units in settlements in occupied East Jerusalem according to a new UN Human Rights Office report covering the period up to October 31, 2025. An unprecedented 84 new outposts were also established during the reporting period.

Israeli authorities handed final eviction notices to 32 more households in the Silwan neighborhood, mostly from the Rajabi extended family, making the displacement of 250 Palestinians imminent. Collectively, some 700 Palestinian residents continue to face the threat of eviction in Silwan.

The Jerusalem governorate announced that Israeli authorities will discuss approving 9,000 settlement units on the ruins of the Qalandiya airport, also known as Atarot, and a separate project in Sheikh Jarrah to displace 40 families. The report pointed to the heightened risk of displacement faced by thousands of Palestinians from Bedouin communities located northeast of East Jerusalem due to the advancement of settlement plans.

In Jerusalem as of the first half of 2026, standard apartments average around 2.6 million shekels (about $811,000), while new-construction apartments cost about 3.3 million shekels ($1.03 million). The median housing price in Jerusalem in 2026 is estimated at around 2,700,000 shekels, approximately $842,000.

Prices in Jerusalem will continue to rise faster than inflation for years to come, because demand will always outstrip supply, with limited supply of homes and strong foreign demand meaning that prices will continue to increase for the foreseeable future, according to local real estate experts.

From the beginning of 2026, every plan submitted to the Jerusalem municipality that involves public benefits is eligible for a pre-TABA agreement. Jerusalem is undergoing a construction renaissance, from the First Station expansion to the Gateway Towers, with prices rising more slowly but new supply finally coming online.

The strong shekel is a serious obstacle for overseas buyers, with the Israeli currency currently trading at about NIS 3.11 to the dollar, just a bit off a 30-year high that makes buying even more expensive for US clients.

As of 7 a.m. on March 5, 2026, 145 people remain hospitalized or are currently being treated in emergency departments, according to the Health Ministry, as medical facilities continue treating casualties from the Iran war.

Medical teams including several senior doctors are reinforcing Israeli hospitals such as Sheba Medical Center and Rambam Medical Center to handle the ongoing medical needs during the conflict.

Jerusalem's healthcare system faces additional strain from a severe measles outbreak affecting more than ten city zones since April 2025, with over 2000 cases reported as of December 2025. The Health Ministry warns unvaccinated individuals and parents of infants with one dose at 6–11 months to avoid large gatherings in outbreak areas.

Hospital moves have been carried out in coordination with the Home Front Command, designed to enable the absorption of large numbers of casualties while maintaining continuity of care and protecting patients.