BETHLEHEM - Israeli forces entered the Haram al-Sharif compound overnight Saturday and arrested two worshipers, witnesses said.

Dozens of police officers entered the compound and used physical force to evacuate worshipers, leading to clashes. Two men from Jerusalem were arrested, witnesses told Ma'an.

Hundreds of Muslim worshipers have been attending overnight prayers in the Haram al-Sharif compound, the Al-Aqsa Foundation for Waqf and Heritage said.

"Israeli authorities are trying to prevent this rite," it added.

An Israeli police spokesman told Ma'an he had no reports of the incident.

The Al-Aqsa compound, containing the mosque and the Dome of the Rock, is the third holiest site in Islam and abuts the site where Jews believe the ancient Second Temple stood

The flashpoint site is under the custody of the Islamic endowment authorities.