By Abdel-raouf Arnaut

JERUSALEM

Israeli police on Friday detained Jerusalem’s top Muslim cleric Sheikh Mohammad Hussein near Al-Aqsa mosque.

“Israeli police detained my father in a violent manner and took him to unknown destination,” Omar, son of the grand mufti, told Anadolu Agency.

The mufti was taken into custody from the Bab Al-Asbat area (Lion’s Gate) after Friday prayer.

Hundreds of Palestinians performed Friday prayer in Bab Al-Asbat after they were prevented from praying at Al-Aqsa mosque.

Israeli police shot dead three Palestinians who they claimed carried out an armed attack inside the flashpoint Al-Aqsa compound, resulting in the death of two police officers.

According to a statement by the Israeli police, the Palestinians opened fire at the Israeli officers injuring three policemen at the Old City of Jerusalem’s Lion's Gate (Bab Al-Asbat).

“Two police officers were critically injured and later died of their wounds in an Israeli hospital, while a third one was hurt by shrapnel and is out of danger,” police said.

Following the attack, Israeli police cleared the Al-Aqsa mosque and closed it for public.

Yoram Ha-Levy, Jerusalem police district commander, said that Friday prayers will not be held at the Al-Aqsa mosque.

After the attack, the Israeli Police beefed up security, deploying hundreds of troops and erecting roadblocks at the entrances of Jerusalem’s Old City, eyewitnesses said.