The Temple Mount was set to open as usual on Friday, following its closure to all visitors and worshippers on Thursday in response to the shooting of prominent right-wing activist Yehuda Glick on Wednesday night.
The decision to reopen the holy site was taken by Jerusalem Police commander Moshe (Chico) Edri on Thursday evening, following a review of the security situation in East Jerusalem.
Edri also decided to restrict Friday Muslim prayers on the Temple Mount to men over the age of 50 and women of all ages. His decision was based on intelligence information that Palestinian youths intend to disturb the peace at the conclusion of the prayers.
Protest marches are expected to take place throughout the West Bank after prayers on Friday, Fatah sources told Haaretz. The atmosphere across the Green Line is reported to be tense and angry, they said, and clashes are possible if the marchers approach security positions or roadblocks.
The Fatah chapter in Jerusalem called for Friday to be a day of rage, following the shooting death of Muatnaz Hijazi, 32, the suspected assailant of Glick. Police said that they shot Hijazi after he opened fire on police when they arrived at his home to arrest him.
On Thursday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas responded strongly to the decision to close the Temple Mount on Thursday, describing it as a "declaration of war" on the Palestinian people.
The police commander called on the public to display responsibility and maintain quiet in the city.
Large police and Border Police detachments remain stationed in Jerusalem, particularly in the eastern part of the city and in areas where there have been clashes with protesters recently.
That presence will be reinforced with additional forces in the Old City and the Temple Mount area on Friday.