The United States has criticised Israel’s far-right national security minister for leading prayers at the flashpoint Al Aqsa Mosque compound, saying he had hurt efforts for talks toward a Gaza ceasefire, AFP reports.

“The United States stands firmly for preservation of the historic status quo with respect to the holy sites of Jerusalem and any unilateral action, which this would be …, that jeopardises such a status quo is unacceptable,” State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters.

“Not only is it unacceptable, it detracts from what we think is a vital time, as we are working to get this ceasefire deal across the finish line,” he said, referring to a US-led push for talks on Thursday to stop the Israel-Hamas fighting.