Fears of violence spreading, particularly in Jerusalem, during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan are mounting as hopes of a truce deal fade.

Hamas has again called on Palestinians to step up visits to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound with Israel accusing it of “trying to ignite clashes in the region during Ramadan”, which is set to begin in the coming days.

Islam’s third holiest mosque is a place of worship for local Muslims. However, the site, also Judaism’s holiest site, known as the Temple Mount, is often a flashpoint during Ramadan.

Ramadan is expected to begin on March 10 or 11 depending on the position of the new Moon.

“People don’t feel like celebrating and enjoying the regular traditions of Ramadan,” one woman, Ayat, said sadly. “This year, they will not participate because of the war in Gaza.”

Hopes that a 40-day truce could take effect by the start of Ramadan have faded, although Egyptian sources say mediators will meet a Hamas delegation again on Sunday to try to reach an agreement with Israel.

Israel said Saturday that its spy chief had met with his American counterpart as part of efforts to free dozens of hostages.

The Israeli prime minister’s office then issued a statement saying that Hamas “sticks to its position”as if “not interested in a deal”.

The framework plan being discussed calls for the release of some of the Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas in the deadly October 7 attacks in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and an increase in humanitarian aid, amid UN warnings of famine.

The presence of the Israeli police is intense around the vast Al-Aqsa Mosque complex and has police officers present at each gate, controlling access.

This weekend, thousands of police have been deployed in the Old City, where tens of thousands of worshipers are expected each day at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Since Israel captured East Jerusalem, including that part of the Old City, from Jordan in the 1967 Middle East War, the site has become a symbol of the Palestinian struggle.

In 2000, then-Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon’s visit to the holy hilltop sparked the Second Palestinian Uprising, which Palestinians refer to as the “Al-Aqsa Intifada.”

There are frequent clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinian worshipers at the site, particularly during Ramadan.

Tensions also rise whenever Israeli nationalist marches are held in the Old City amid calls by Israel’s far-right to change the established status quo religious rules at the site, which allow Jewish visitors but not Jewish prayer.

In May 2021, heightened tensions in Jerusalem erupted into violence. Hamas then fired rockets into Jerusalem, leading to a brief war in Gaza and widespread unrest between Jewish and Arab Israelis.

Last year, when Ramadan coincided with the Jewish Passover, violent incidents broke out when Muslims barricaded themselves in Al-Aqsa with police using stun grenades against them.

This year, Ramadan does not coincide with any major Jewish holidays.