They were shot dead near site sacred to both Muslims, Jews

Three Arab-Israeli gunmen shot dead two Israeli policemen near one of Jerusalem’s most holy places on Friday and were then killed by security forces, police said.

It was one of the most serious attacks in years so close to the volatile holy site, known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount.

Israeli authorities shut the area to Muslims gathering for Friday prayers, prompting anger among Palestinian religious leaders. The Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Mohammad Hussein, urged Palestinians to defy the closure and was later reported to have been detained. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the attack in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but also said closing down the area could have repercussions.

Unknown attackers

No group claimed responsibility for the attack, though the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, praised it.

The three gunmen arrived at the sacred site, which stands on a marble and stone plateau on the edge of Jerusalem’s Old City, and walked towards one of the nearby ancient stone gates, police spokeswoman Luba Simri said. “When they saw the policemen they shot towards them and then escaped towards one of the mosques in the Temple Mount compound.”

“A chase ensued and the three terrorists were killed by police.” She said three firearms were found on their bodies. The internal security service, Shin Bet, said the gunmen were all Arab citizens of Israel unknown to authorities.

Tensions are often high around the compound, which houses the Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock.