The US called on Israel to allow worshippers to go to the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem for Ramadan, as Hamas calls for Palestinians in Jerusalem and the West Bank to march on the mosque on the first day of the holy month, Paralel.Az reports citing CNN.

Far-right Israeli cabinet minister Itamar Ben Gvir has proposed increased restrictions to the holy site for Palestinians during Ramadan. Such restrictions, if instituted, threaten to ignite already increased tensions.

“We continue to urge Israel to facilitate access to the Temple Mount for peaceful worshippers during Ramadan, consistent with past practice, and that will continue to be our position,” said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller at a briefing on Wednesday.

Miller said allowing access to al-Aqsa is “a matter that directly is important to Israel's security," adding that “it is not in Israel's security interest to inflame tensions in the West Bank or in the broader region.”