The Gaza-based terror group Hamas on Monday warned Israel of escalation if National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir goes through with his plan to visit the Temple Mount sometime this week.
According to Lebanon-based Al-Mayadeen, affiliated with Hezbollah, the Gaza-based organization informed Egyptian and UN mediators that "it would not stand idly by," and that "Ben Gvir's step would ignite the region."
The terror group's spokesman, Abd al-Latif al-Qanou, said in a statement: "The criminal Ben Gvir's announcement of his intention to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque reflects the arrogance of the fascist settler government and its premeditated intentions to escalate incursions and attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque with the aim of dividing it.
"The escalation in Al-Aqsa Mosque represents a detonator, and the occupation government will bear the consequences of that," he said, stressing at the same time that "the Palestinian people will bravely confront these follies and provocations and will not allow the occupation's plans to pass," the spokesman added.
Later in the day, Israeli police officials will meet to discuss preparations of the forces ahead of Ben-Gvir's visit. This will be the first time the far-right lawmaker will visit the religious site since he took office as a minister who oversees all police activity.
Meanwhile, the police called Ekrima Sa'id Sabri, a leading Temple Mount cleric and former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, for questioning. The police warned him not to incite against Ben-Gvir.
Sabri has been accused of incitement to terrorism, and several times Israel issued orders against him to prevent the cleric from leaving the state.