Israel’s defence minister has said that authorities will respect freedom of worship during Ramazan but are “ready” for anyone who might “try us”, AFP reports.

“The State of Israel respects the freedom of worship at Al-Aqsa and all holy places,” Yoav Gallant said in a video message, referring to the third-holiest site in Islam, located in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.

“The month of Ramazan may be a month of jihad, and we say to everyone not to try us — we are ready, don’t make mistakes,” he said in the clip posted on his Telegram channel.