Palestinians take part in a protest after Friday prayers
Palestinians take part in a protest after Friday prayers in May (Reuters)

Clashes have erupted at the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem after it was stormed by Jewish extremists.

Israeli forces surrounded the mosque, the third holiest site in Islam, and arrested five people after a scuffle broke out between Palestinians and around 40 Israeli Jews who entered the compound.

Palestinian youths threw stones at the group and Israeli forces responded by storming the mosque compound and spraying protesters with pepper spray.

Israeli police closed all gates leading to the mosque and prevented worshipers under 50 from entering, Ma'an news website reported.

Sheikh Azzam al-Khatib, head of endowment and affairs at al-Aqsa Mosque, said Israel was responsible for the clashes in the mosque and not protecting the holy site from the extremists group.

Reports say that Jewish leaders in Israel have called for attacks on the al-Aqsa mosque, which Jews believe is also the site where the ancient Second Temple stood, on the eve of Rosh Hashanah - the Jewish New Year.

Israel Storm