Published on 12:52 PM, September 13, 2015

Clashes at Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque

The al-Aqsa mosque is part of a compound sacred to both Muslims and Jews

Clashes have broken out at the al-Aqsa mosque complex in East Jerusalem after Israeli police entered the compound, reports say.

Dozens of police broke into the site and Palestinians threw stones and fireworks at them, Israel's Ynet news reports.

Similar clashes took place at the end of July.

Al-Aqsa is one of Islam's holiest sites and is in the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif site also revered by Jews.

The holy compound is a source of religious and political tension between Israel and the Palestinians, and a frequent flashpoint for violence.

Tensions have been running high since Israel Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon last week banned two Muslim groups which confront Jewish visitors to the compound.

The disturbances come hours before the start of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, which begins at sunset on Sunday and continues until Tuesday evening.