Israeli authorities have demolished several graves in occupied east Jerusalem's historical Bab al-Rahmeh cemetery next to a long fought-over mosque, a Palestinian official has said.

Parts of the ancient cemetery were confiscated in September 2015 by Israeli authorities to make way for a national park according to local sources.

“Personnel from the so-called Israeli Nature Authority – backed by large numbers of Israeli forces – stormed the historical Bab al-Rahmeh cemetery and knocked down eight graves,” Mustafa Abu Zahra, head of the committee for the preservation of Islamic cemeteries in Jerusalem told the Turkish state-run Anadolu news agency.

“Israel wants to transform the cemetery into a national park for Israeli Jews,” he added.

Sheikh Omar al-Qiswani, the director of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, told Anadolu: “Israel claims the graves are situated on land owned by the Israeli Nature Authority.

“But Israel has no historical or legal basis on which to claim any right to the cemetery. The site is an Islamic Waqf [endowment], and will remain so.”

In a varying account of the damage, Mr al-Qiswani, told Palestinian news agency Ma’an six graves had been destroyed,

He underlined past efforts by Israel’s Nature and Parks authorities to seize land from the cemetery and to ban Palestinians from digging grave plots in the confiscated zones

The Muslim cemetery is over 1,400 years old and is considered a significant historical site in East Jerusalem.

The United Nations cultural agency Unesco recognised the Al-Aqsa Mosque as a Muslim holy site in mid-October. Many Muslims consider the site to be their third most sacred place.

Unesco's decision was welcomed by Palestinians, who said it was an “important message to Israel that it must end its occupation and recognise the Palestinian state".

Palestinian Authority adviser on religious and Islamic affairs Mahmoud al-Habbash told Ma'an the destruction of the graves was a sign of “Israeli political confusion” following the decision by the organisation.

Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Show all 12 1 /12 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict The fire in my heart is beyond my ribs. You left me beloved - Soliman Shaheen, 15 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict Let me get enough of you, as I’m still hungry for your smile my son - Soliman Shaheen, 15 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict They besiege me in my homeland so I flew to heaven - Rodaina Al Agha, 16 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict And I am still facing the pain all by myself - Lama Shakshak, 15 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict My brother, I watched you go while my heart was tearing - Helen Mo'amar, 16 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict My new doll is lonely in the rubble - Ayah Sha'ath, 16 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict When a soul hugs another soul they never split, even in death - Ismail Matar, 16 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict Everyone is gone and I stayed alone to make the world witness the injustice done to me - Hamza Shaheen, 16 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict The hand that carries the arms carries roses too - Madeeha Al Majayda, 15 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict My eyes tell you about a dream that overcame the fence - Soliman Shaheen, 15 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict A childhood caught in an unjust siege - Hadeel Quidh, 16 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict All the details are torn after you - Hamza Shaheen, 17

Israel first annexed East Jerusalem following its invasion in 1967 as part of its military occupation.

Jewish settlers and Zionist organisations have long called for complete Jewish control over the mosque compound.

The Independent has contacted Israeli Nature and Parks Authority for comment.