Israel's police chief says two officers have been killed in an attack near a major shrine in Jerusalem.

Three gunman were shot dead after opening fire at what Muslims know as the Noble Sanctuary and Jewish people call Temple Mount.

Police said three suspected gunmen were shot and killed after a pursuit.

The officers killed were named as Sergeant Major-General Hail Stawi and Lieutenant Colonel Kamil Shanan

A third officer was injured in the attack.

The New York Times reports that security officials said the suspects were residents of Umm el-Fahm, an Arab town in central Israel.

In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Israel "would take all necessary actions to maintain security on the Temple Mount, without changing the status quo".

The shrine - which is in the Old City and located near the Western Wall - is one of the city's most important religious sites, and has been a target of violence in the past.