Ramallah: The militant Palestinian group Hamas issued a warning to Israel on Tuesday that it would respond to any possible "violation" at a sensitive holy site in Jerusalem during the impending Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Less than two weeks before the start of Ramadan and amid an escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict under Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, issued the warning.

The risk of escalation, according to Salah al-Aruri, deputy head of Hamas's political bureau, "depends entirely on Israeli violations of the occupation throughout Palestine and the Al-Aqsa Mosque," which is located in occupied East Jerusalem.

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The third holiest site in Islam is Al-Aqsa, a mosque complex managed by Jordan. The Temple Mount, as it is known to Jews, is the holiest site in Judaism. According to Aruri, "the reaction of our people" would be met by any attempt by Israel to "impose" its policies during Ramadan.

The English translation of Aruri's comment makes it clear that Hamas has no intention of escalating tensions during Ramadan, although the Arabic version does not include this clarification. Non-Muslims are currently allowed to visit the site only during specific hours, but they are not allowed to pray there.

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An increasing number of Jews, mostly Israeli nationalists, have been praying in secret at the compound in recent years, angering Palestinians.

Israel's far-right minister of national security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, sparked worldwide outrage when he visited the site in January. One of the primary causes of the Second Palestinian Intifada or uprising, which lasted until 2005, was a controversial visit by then opposition leader Ariel Sharon in 2000.

Since the beginning of the year, 81 Palestinian adults and children, including militants and civilians, have been killed in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

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According to an AFP count based on official sources on both sides, 13 Israelis have been killed during the same time frame, including three children and a policeman and a Ukrainian civilian.