Thousands of Muslim worshippers prayed at Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa Mosque on Wednesday night at the beginning of Ramadan.
More Israeli police officers were on scene than usual, with numbers expected to rise to about 2,000 for Friday prayers.
The holy month has historically been period of tension in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
On Monday, Israel issued rules for Palestinians from the occupied West Bank and Gaza to pray at Al Aqsa.
Women have access to the compound without a permit. Male children under the age of 12 and those over 55 can travel without a permit. Stricter rules apply for those coming from Gaza.
Authorities said the measures will be reassessed throughout the month.
On Thursday, Israeli prison authorities were gearing up to prepare for mass hunger strikes over Ramadan among Palestinian inmates in Israeli jails.
They are protesting against policies pushed by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, which include stopping Palestinians arrested on security charges from baking their own bread and limiting the time in which they can shower.
On Wednesday morning, Israeli forces launched raids on cities and surrounding villages in the occupied West Bank, including Ramallah, Nablus, Jericho and Jerusalem. Israeli and Palestinian outlets reported that 26 arrests were made.
Jerusalem’s increased police presence comes as tensions at Al Aqsa compound rise over the conduct of some members of the new Israeli government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
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Palestinians in Al Aqsa mosque compound after Friday's noon prayer in Jerusalem, January 6, 2023. AFP -
Israeli minister and Jewish Power party leader Itamar Ben-Gvir on a tour of Al Aqsa mosque compound on January 3, 2023. AFP -
Pope Benedict XVI in front of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem's Old City in May 2009. Reuters -
The Dome of the Rock at Al Aqsa mosque compound in 1987. AFP -
The walled city of old Jerusalem with the Dome of the Rock in the background, circa 1948. AFP -
An Israeli military vehicle approaches the Dome of the Rock in June 1967. AFP -
Israeli right-wing opposition leader Ariel Sharon flanked by security guards on a visit to Al Aqsa mosque compound in September 2000. AFP -
A view of Jerusalem on June 12, 1967 shows the Mughrabi Quarter after the Arab-Israeli war that year. AFP -
King Abdullah of Jordan on his way to Al Aqsa mosque in June 1948, with the Dome of the Rock in the background. Getty Images -
Royal guests Princess Mary and the Earl of Harwood in March 1934 leave the temple area. Photo: Library of Congress -
Crowds outside Al Aqsa mosque in the 1930s. Photo: Library of Congress
In January, Mr Ben-Gvir visited the site under heavy security. He said on Twitter that it was "open to all”, drawing condemnation domestically and abroad.
The area encompassing Al Aqsa Mosque compound is also sacred in Judaism.
Also in January, Israeli police prevented Jordan’s ambassador to Israel from accessing the site, later saying that their officers did not recognise Ghassan Majali and that he did not apply for permission. Mr Majali eventually left in protest.
The Jordanian Waqf is the custodian of the mosque.
On Wednesday, Jordan's parliament recommended the expulsion of the Israel's ambassador to the kingdom, in response to comments by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
Mr Smotrich said Palestinians were a "historical invention" and stood in front of a banner that depicted an Israeli flag covering Jordanian and Palestinian territory.
