Updated July 14, 2017 21:00:33

Three Palestinian assailants opened fire on Israeli police from inside a major Jerusalem holy site on Friday, killing two officers before being shot dead themselves, police say.

Israeli media reports said the attackers opened fire near the place known to Jews as Temple Mount — the most holy site in Judaism — which is also the site of the Al Aqsa mosque.

Security forces immediately returned shots and killed the Arab-Israeli gunmen.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the phone after the attack and condemned the deadly shooting, a Palestinian news agency reported.

"The President expressed his strong rejection and condemnation of the incident that took place at al-Aqsa Mosque, as well as his rejection of any violent incidents from any side, especially in places of worship," the news agency Wafa said.

In the wake of the attack, police declared Friday prayers would not be held at the sacred site, which is known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary.

The prayers typically draw tens of thousands of worshippers who flock to the compound from Israel and the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Palestinian media reported Mr Netanyahu assured Mr Abbas the long-standing status quo at the compound, which gives Muslims exclusive prayer rights, would be maintained.

Prayer leader Ikrema Sabri said it marked only the third time since Israel's capture of east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war that authorities ordered the Muslim-administered compound closed.

Police are investigating how the assailants were able to approach the Old City with weapons.

Heavy security is in place in the area, particularly on Fridays, and young men are frequently stopped and checked by police.

Two rifles, a hand gun and a knife were found on the bodies of the attackers.

Topics: unrest-conflict-and-war, israel

First posted July 14, 2017 15:21:33