The Islamic authority which administers the Temple Mount has instructed worshippers to return to the religious compound after the Israeli government backtracked on increased security measures for the complex.

Mohammed Hussein, the Mufti of Jerusalem, announced the resumption of prayers on the Temple Mount, where the Al Aqsa mosque stands, after a meeting this morning.

Last night, the Israeli government removed equipment which had been put in place for the installation of smart security cameras at the entrances to the site. This had in turn replaced metal detectors, which had been put up following an attack two weeks ago, when three Arabs had descended from the Temple Mount, shooting and killing two Israeli policemen.

The Israeli government’s capitulation means the entrances for Muslim worshippers at the Temple Mount complex will be the same as before the terror attack.

In the meantime, Jewish visitors to the site will continue to have to go through metal detectors. Similarly, visitors to the Western Wall plaza will continue to have to go through metal detectors, which have been in place since the second intifada due to fears of an Arab attack on the complex.

Both Fatah and Hamas, the two major Palestinian political organisations, had called for a “day of rage” this Friday in response to the increased security measures. It is unclear whether these protests will still take place.