Israeli security forces are deployed after clashes with Palestinians at the Al-Aqsa Templein East Jerusalem, April 5, 2023. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Erdogan said that Israel must not allow tensions, which already spread to the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, to further escalate in a sensitive time when the Muslim holy month of Ramadan coincides with Jew's Passover.

Stressing the necessity to prevent the clashes from becoming a pattern repeated during every Ramadan, he said Turkey is "ready to do its bit to get to the root of the problem and take steps towards establishing a just and lasting peace."

The same day, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant. The Defense Department said in a statement that Secretary Austin called for steps to be taken to ensure a peaceful holiday for Jews, Muslims and Christians, and welcomed efforts to ease tensions.

Tensions between Israel and Palestine increased after Israeli police arrested more than 350 Palestinians during clashes at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem on Wednesday. The confrontations, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and on the eve of the Jewish Passover holiday, triggered a cross-border exchange of fire in Gaza and stoked fears of further violence.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that at least 34 rockets were fired from Lebanon into northern Israel on Thursday. Israel launched airstrikes in southern Lebanon and the Gaza Strip overnight Thursday-Friday, hitting a series of sites belonging to the Hamas group, in response to the rocket launches. This is the first time Israel has confirmed carrying out an attack on Lebanese territory.