On Wednesday, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his "shock" and "astonishment" at the level of violence used by the Israeli security forces against Palestinian worshipers inside Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem on Tuesday night.

"The Secretary-General is shocked and stunned by the scenes he saw this morning of violence and beatings by Israeli security forces inside the Al-Qibli Mosque in Jerusalem, which took place during a period sacred to both Jews, Christians and Muslims, a period that should be of peace and non-violence," Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. .

"Places of worship should be used exclusively for peaceful religious ceremonies," he added.

On Wednesday, calm returned to the Temple Mount after violent clashes took place at night between Palestinian worshipers and the Israeli police, who arrested hundreds of them.

The clashes took place after extremist Jews stormed the courtyard of the mosque, on the eve of the Jewish Passover holiday, which is celebrated on Wednesday.

These confrontations came in an atmosphere of increasing tension between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and during the month of Ramadan, when Muslims usually retreat to Al-Aqsa Mosque and perform night prayers there.

The Israeli police raid on the Temple Mount sparked a series of condemnations.

Violence has escalated since the beginning of this year between Palestinians and Israelis, after a government considered one of the most right-wing in the history of the Jewish state came to power in Israel.

The violence has resulted in about 110 deaths since the beginning of the year.