The special envoy of US President Donald Trump is expected to arrive in Israel on Monday to ease tensions over new security measures at Jerusalem's highly sensitive holy site after a weekend of deadly violence.
Jason Greenblatt's visit is taking place after more than a week of tensions at the Haram al-Sharif Mosque Complex, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, as a central issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israeli authorities had installed metal detectors at the entrance to the site, which includes the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, in response to the July 14 attacks when two police officers were killed.
Palestinians regard this step as Israel creating greater control over the site. In protest, they refused to enter the complex and pray in the streets outside of it.
Israeli officials say metal detectors are needed because on July 14 the attackers brought weapons into the area and left the fire to shoot police officers.
During protests against the measures, clashes erupted leaving five Palestinians dead.
Last Friday (21), a Palestinian raided a house in a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank area and stabbed three Israelis to death.
Ahmed Abul Gheit, the head of the Arab League, accused Israel on Sunday of "playing with fire" by implementing the new security measures, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called them an insult to the Muslim world.
Pope Francis said he was following the events with concern and called for dialogue and moderation of the parties.
The main weekly Muslim prayers on Friday, which typically draw thousands of al-Aqsa, have boiled the situation.
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