Israeli police sealed the gates to al-Aqsa mosque, Jerusalem’s most important mosque after clashes erupted with Palestinian worshippers following midday prayers, an AFP photographer said.

 

The waqf, the religious authority that runs the mosque, confirmed the gates were closed after clashes broke out. Israeli police did not immediately comment.

 

Reuters news agency reported that masked youth cracked fireworks in the direction of Israeli police near the mosque on Friday and police charged the mosque compound to confront them. It was not immediately clear if the entry of the police happened before or after the fireworks.

 

An Israeli police spokesman said firecrackers and stones were lobbed at the police at al-Aqsa mosque compound “for an unknown reason”. Police were clearing the compound in response, he said.

 

The compound is a frequent flashpoint of Israeli-Palestinian tensions.