Israel deploys additional police forces around Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa ahead of Ramadan

Palestinians perform Friday prayer at the street due to Israeli police turning away especially Palestinian young people who wanted to pray from the checkpoints set up around the East Jerusalem on March 08, 2024 [Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu Agency]

Israeli police deployed additional forces Sunday around the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied East Jerusalem, Anadolu news agency reported.

The deployment comes as thousands of Palestinians prepare to perform the Tarawih, special night prayers during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, on Sunday.

According to Israeli Channel 12, the police deployment comes amid concerns of a security flare-up in East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank during Ramadan.

Text messages were sent to the phones of Jerusalem residents warning against involvement in any unrest, the broadcaster said.

Leaflets were also distributed in the eastern neighbourhoods of East Jerusalem warning residents against “riots” during Ramadan, according to the channel.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is the world’s third-holiest site for Muslims. Jews call the area the Temple Mount, saying it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa is located, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. It annexed the entire city in 1980, a move never recognized by the international community.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which in an interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza, where more than 31,000 people have been killed.

OPINION: Will there be another confrontation in Al-Aqsa Mosque this Ramadan?

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