Israeli police storm Temple Mount in Jerusalem amid riots

Israeli police forces Wednesday afternoon stormed the Temple Mount, known by Muslims as Noble Sanctuary, complex in Jerusalem's Old City amid violent riots that erupted earlier in the day after a Palestinian was shot and killed by an Israeli security guard, Xinhua reported.

The violent riots broke out following the funeral of Sammer Sarchan, a 32-year-old resident of the village of Silwan in East Jerusalem.

More than 10 Israelis have reportedly been wounded as hundreds of rioters hurled stones at passersby, buses and security vehicles that rushed to the scene, Israeli police officials reported.

A 35-year-old Israeli was stabbed by a Palestinian near Mount Scopus in East Jerusalem, and was transferred to a nearby hospital with moderate wounds. Three more Israelis reportedly sustained light wounds after their car was overturned, according to local media.

Police forces have been deployed throughout East Jerusalem, including the Western Wall, beginning in the morning hours and are using tear gas, stun grenades and other means to disperse the rioters and protect Jewish worshippers praying ahead of the start of the Jewish Sukkot holidays.

Local daily Haaretz reported that police entered the compound of the Al-Aqsa mosque in the Old City to push back Palestinians, and dozens of Muslim worshippers are currently barricaded inside the mosque atop the Temple Mount.

The Arab resident in Silwan died after an Israeli safety guard was allegedly stoned by Arabs and opened fire.

The neighborhood, which is near the Old City, has become a highly disputed area after the Jerusalem municipality approved in June a plan to demolish 22 Arab-owned houses in Silwan to build an archeological garden in the neighborhood.

Israel captured and annexed East Jerusalem in the 1967 War, claiming Jerusalem as its undividable capital, while the Palestinians want the east part of the holy city to be the capital of their future state.