Anger as far-right Israeli minister prays at flashpoint holy site in Jerusalem

(Alamy/PA)

A far-right Israeli minister has prayed at Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site, triggering regional condemnation and fears that the move could further escalate tensions.

With Israel already facing global criticism over famine-like conditions in the besieged Gaza Strip, the visit by Itamar Ben-Gvir to the hillside compound threatened to further set back efforts by international mediators to halt Israel’s nearly two-year military offensive in the territory.