Israeli security forces broke into the Al-Aqsa mosque complex in Jerusalem before dawn, when thousands of Palestinians had gathered for prayer during the holy month of Ramadan. At least 67 Palestinians were injured in the clashes, AP reported.

The clashes come after three tense weeks of violence in Israel and the occupied West Bank. Al-Aqsa is the third holiest site in Islam. The Jews call it the Temple Mount, referring to the two temples said to have stood there in antiquity. A sacred place for Jews and Muslims, it often became the epicenter of Israeli-Palestinian riots.

Collisions occur at a particularly sensitive time. Ramadan this year coincides with Passover, the main Jewish holiday that begins on Friday at sunset, and the Christian Holy Week, which culminates on Easter Sunday. During these holidays, tens of thousands of believers are expected to gather in the Old City of Jerusalem, where the main places sacred to all three religions are located.

Videos circulating online show Palestinians throwing rocks and police using tear gas and stun grenades.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Emergency Service said it had evacuated 67 people to hospitals after being hit by rubber bullets, stun grenades or beaten with batons.

Israeli police said three officers were injured in a massive stoning and two were evacuated from the scene for medical treatment.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said dozens of masked men carrying Palestinian and Hamas flags marched to the compound early Friday morning and collected rocks.

Police were forced to enter the area to disperse the crowd and remove stones to prevent further violence, the statement said.

The police assured that they waited for the end of the prayer. The statement said the crowd began hurling rocks at the Western Wall, a nearby Jewish shrine, forcing the police to act. They assured that they did not go into the mosque itself.

The Palestinians view any police deployment to Al-Aqsa as a major provocation.

Tensions have risen sharply in recent weeks following a series of attacks by Palestinians that have killed 14 people. Israel has carried out a wave of arrests and military operations in the occupied West Bank, causing clashes with the Palestinians.