Israeli authorities are ramping up security ahead of the first Friday prayers of Ramadan in Jerusalem, citing concerns over potential violence, police announced on Thursday.
Approximately 3,000 security personnel will be stationed to ensure order during the prayers at the Temple Mount, a site also known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary in the Old City.
Officials emphasized the need for a peaceful and organized gathering.
Reports indicate that the number of Muslim worshippers allowed at the site will be capped at 10,000.
The Temple Mount, home to the al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, holds deep religious significance as Islam’s third holiest site.
Meanwhile, the Western Wall, a remnant of the ancient Jewish Temple, is considered the holiest location in Judaism.
Though the site falls under Muslim administration, Israel oversees its security. Tensions in Jerusalem have historically escalated during Ramadan, and this year, the situation is particularly volatile due to the ongoing Gaza conflict, Israeli military operations, and increased settler violence in the occupied West Bank.
The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas has urged confrontations in the city during the holy month.
