we want to start with the latest news from israel. hundreds of palestinians have barricaded themselves inside al aqsa mosque injerusalem. remember, earlier this week, israeli police raided the mosque after palestinians barricaded themselves inside, after the evening ramadan prayer. that led to palestinian militants firing rockets into israel from lebanon and gaza, and israel hitting back with airstrikes. the al aqsa mosque, the third holiest site in islam, is located on a hilltop complex known by muslims as al haram al sharif and byjews as the temple mount. jews revere it as the location of two biblical temples and it is the holiest site injudaism. thousands of muslims and jews are gathering injerusalem with ramadan and passover overlapping this year. it is around this time thatjewish visitors are supposed to be allowed in to the al aqsa mosque so we will be keeping a close eye on events there for you, and we ll bring you any update on that when we get it. meanwhile, this fra
jewish worshippers have been gathering at the western wall for passover prayers this morning. it usually draws tens of thousands of worshippers, with crowds spilling out from the wall s plaza into the surrounding areas. there is a heavy security presence today and officials are concerned there could be violence. just a short distance away hundreds of palestinians have barricaded themselves inside al aqsa mosque injerusalem. these are the latest images from the mosque. police said they were bracing for violence, but so far it has been calm. jordan, which manages the religious complex, has warned of catastrophic consequences if police storm the mosque. i m joined now by the bbc s middle east correspondent, yolande knell. yolande knell is injerusalem. there are concerns about what is going on in al aqsa mosque. tel is the latest because it was just last week that police stormed the mosque and there were really tense scenes, weren t there? talk us through what is going on. ~ . y
thousands of catholic worshippers gathered at the vatican in st peter s square to hear the pope lead easter mass, and pronounce the traditional to the city and the world blessing. pope francis has called on the international community to strive to end conflicts across the globe and he spoke of his deep concern over recent attacks in jerusalem and the surrounding region lets have a listen to what the pope had to say. translation: on this day, lord, we entrust to you the city - ofjerusalem, the first witness of your resurrection. may there be a resumption of dialogue and a climate of trust and reciprocal respect between israelis and palestinians so that peace may rein in the holy city and in the entire region. lord, aid lebanon which still seeks stability and unity so that divisions may be overcome and all citizens cooperate for the common good of the country. be mindful of the beloved people of tunisia and in particular the young and those suffering from social and economic
jewish worshippers have been gathering at the western wall for passover prayers this morning. the event draws tens of thousands of worshippers, with crowds spilling out from the wall s plaza into the surrounding areas. there is a heavy security presence today and officials are concerned there could be violence. just a short distance away hundreds of palestinians have barricaded themselves inside al aqsa mosque injerusalem. these are the latest images from the mosque. police said they were bracing for violence, but so far it has been calm. jordan, which manages the religious complex, has warned of catastrophic consequences if police storm the mosque. i m joined now by the bbc s middle east correspondent, yolande knell. hi there. just in the last few minutes or so, we have the funeral on the way of two british israelis. would you mind talking us through what has happened. yes. would you mind talking us through what has happened. what has happened. yes, that funeral is caettin