US president laments 'the loss of life among worshipers practicing their faith,' says ordered assistance be offered; Ashkenazi: Israel working to help families of 4 dead Americans

'The joy of our heart has ceased, our dancing has turned into mourning,' says a Haredi newspaper headline plucked from the book of Lamentations

Amid growing reports of systemic failures, calls mount to extend probes beyond police and local officials, to investigate ministers responsible for catastrophic event

The hilltop shrine, where 45 people were killed in a stampede, has long been a place whose symbolism reflects a mix of grief and euphoria

Israeli TV says Blue and White chief told PM he is committed to 'change bloc'; also reports that premier won't seek extension of mandate unless coalition realisticly in reach

Calls go out for public to pay final respects to Shraga Gestetner, a father of 5 from Montreal, who came to Israel specifically for the Lag B'Omer celebrations

Day after he blamed Israel for forcing him to suspend elections, PA chief tells Rivlin he's praying for disaster victims; Arab states without ties to Israel also said reaching out

In Jerusalem, funerals still going on as sirens announcing sabbath wail across city; forensic institute suspends ID process for Jewish day of rest with 32 of 45 bodies identified

Reports in 2008, 2011 raised concerns; internal police document in 2016 said site was chaotically managed, couldn't safely accommodate numbers that attend annual Lag B’Omer event

At least 35 of the 45 victims identified as remaining families frantically try to find out if their loved ones are among the dead; at least two families lost multiple children