Two policemen were confirmed dead by Israeli police hours after sustaining serious injuries in a shooting attack near Jerusalem’s holiest site on Friday morning.

A third law enforcer is still being treated for light injuries.

Israeli border policemen secure the area near the scene of the shooting attack, in Jerusalem's Old City July 14, 2017. /VCG Photo

The incident took place shortly after 7:00 a.m. local time. Three Palestinians reportedly arrived at the sacred site, known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, and proceeded towards one of the Old City gates nearby before opening fire.

The gunmen were shot dead and the area has been closed off, Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the deadly attack in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Related story:

 Three injured after shooting in Jerusalem's Old City