The compound is the holiest site in Judaism and third holiest in Islam and is one of the most politically sensitive sacred places in the world.

:: Israel said it would reopen the al-Aqsa Mosque compound starting from noon on Sunday, according to a statement attributed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israeli police banned last Friday’s Muslim prayers at Jerusalem’s holiest site after two Israeli policemen were shot dead in a shooting near the site.

Israeli forces then arrested the Mufti of Jerusalem Sheikh Mohammed Hussein who called on worshippers to defy the ban but was later released on the same day.

The compound is the holiest site in Judaism and third holiest in Islam and is one of the most politically sensitive sacred places in the world.

It is located in East Jerusalem, occupied by Israel since the 1967 Middle East war. Israel considers the entire city its sovereign capital, while Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of their sought-after future state.