Egypt urged Israel to put a stop to the violence around Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa mosque, warning the country about the repercussions of a “security escalation,” the Egyptian Foreign Affairs Ministry said on Wednesday. Israel had closed the mosque on Friday after two Israeli policemen were killed by three armed men in the mosque’s vicinity, according to Reuters. Israeli forces reopened the mosque on Sunday but installed inspection and surveillance equipment at its entrances, prompting Palestinians to pray outside in protest.
This comes as Egypt is reportedly mediating prisoner exchange talks between Israel and Hamas, the Times of Israel reports. Israel “offered to release an undisclosed number of female prisoners, minors, and Hamas MPs” in exchange for three Israelis currently being held by Hamas, but the Palestinian group has reportedly rejected the offer.