Santa Claus visits Jerusalem on camelback

Harout Torossian, an Israeli lifeguard from the Armenian Orthodox Christian minority dressed up as Santa Claus, standup paddleboards along a beach in the Mediterranean coastal Israeli city of Tel Aviv as Christians around the world prepare to celebrate the holy day.

Emmaneul Macron channels Jacques Chirac in Jerusalem

The coronavirus pandemic has also gripped the Holy Land and Jerusalem's Old City has come to a near standstill. Bereft of locals and tourists, Easter celebrations will look a lot different this year.

Santa Claus begins his journey from Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland to deliver presents to all the children of the world. He also reminds everyone to follow the rules in force to fight against Covid-19.

At least 26 residents of a Belgian care home have died of COVID-19 and dozens more are infected after a volunteer dressed as Father Christmas distributed presents.

Dozens arrested in Jerusalem clashes

Fresh clashes break out between Palestinians and police after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for "calm on all sides" after several nights of unrest in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem. There have been nightly disturbances since the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on April 13, amid Palestinian anger over police blocking off access to the promenade around the walls of the Old City and a ban on gatherings.

The holy city, which contains sacred sites for Jews, Muslims and Christians, has been rocked by violence over the past three days. An Israeli march laying claim to the whole of Jerusalem is set to go ahead on Monday.

Tensions have been on the rise in East Jerusalem amid planned evictions of dozens of Palestinians from the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, which is located just north of the Old City. Palestinians protesting in solidarity with residents have been targeted by Israeli forces and settler groups.

Muna and Muhammad el-Kurd are leading campaigners against evictions in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Jerusalem. The two were released after being detained Sunday.

Israeli police inspect Jerusalem Shaare Zedek hospital parking lot, after a sinkhole opened wide, swallowing at least one car.

A firefighting plane works on extinguishing a fire raging in a forested area west of Jerusalem. The massive fire on the outskirts of Jerusalem has paralysed traffic as dozens of firefighters and 10 aerial tankers battle the blaze.