Israel police enter Islam holy place

Israeli police fought their way into Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque Sunday to root out Palestinian protesters suspected of stockpiling fireworks and petrol bombs in preparation for a riot, police said.

"Masked rioters fled into the mosque and started to throw stones and blocks at police from inside Al-Aqsa mosque. They threw fireworks directly at police," a statement said, adding that a number of police were wounded.

"In light of the severe confrontation and the escalating actions of the rioters and with the aim of preventing further injury to police... force entered a number of metres (yards) inside and closed the doors to the mosque with the rioters inside, restoring order."