Israel has intensified security measures ahead of the first Friday prayers of Ramadan in Jerusalem amid concerns over potential violence, the police announced on Thursday.
Around 3,000 security personnel will be deployed to ensure a safe and orderly prayer gathering at the Temple Mount, known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary, in Jerusalem’s Old City.
According to media reports, authorities plan to limit the number of Muslim worshippers to 10,000.
The Temple Mount, home to the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, is considered Islam’s third holiest site. The Western Wall, a remnant of the ancient Jewish Temple, is Judaism’s holiest site. The site remains under Muslim administration, while Israel oversees its security.
Tensions in Jerusalem typically escalate during Ramadan, and this year’s prayers come amid heightened unrest due to the ongoing Gaza war, Israeli military operations, and settler violence in the occupied West Bank.
The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas has called for confrontations in the city during Ramadan, further fueling security concerns.
