Three Israelis were wounded, two critically, after three gunmen opened fire at police near Jerusalem's holiest site on Friday, Israeli police said.

The attackers were later killed by Israeli security forces.

The gunmen arrived at the sacred site, known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, and walked towards one of the Old City gates nearby, police spokeswoman Luba Simri said.

"When they saw policemen, they shot towards them and then escaped towards one of the mosques in the Temple Mount compound," said Simri. "A chase ensued and the three terrorists were killed by police."

Local media photo‍

She said three firearms were found on their bodies.

Mobile phone video footage aired by Israeli media showed several policemen chasing a man and shooting him down at the site, which is a popular destination for foreign tourists.

Israeli authorities are still working to identify the attackers, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.

There was no immediate comments from Palestinian officials.

The Israeli ambulance service Magen David Adom said three Israelis were wounded, two critically.

(Source: Reuters)