At the beginning of Ramadan Israeli police squads forcible removed Muslim worshippers who had gathered to pray at the Haram esh-Sharif (also known as Temple Mount). The police also severed loudspeaker cables that were being used to broadcast the Muslim call to prayer. They did this to ensure that a speech by Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, taking place nearby at the Western Wall, would not be disturbed.
This was followed by Israeli forces blocking Muslims from the Damascus Gate and Al-Aqsa Mosque, areas where worshippers would congregate during Ramadan. This increase in tension lead to isolated incidents of Palestinians and Israelis assaulting each other in the streets.