Israeli occupation forces ailed to drive out Palestinian protesters who have been staging a sit-in in demonstration to an Israeli bill which envisages "application of Israeli sovereignty" over the holy compound.

Israeli occupation forces withdrew from the yard of al-Aqsa Mosque, after they failed to drive out Palestinian protesters who have been staging a sit-in in demonstration to an Israeli bill which envisages "application of Israeli sovereignty" over the holy compound.

Palestine Today network reported that 12 Palestinians were injured as occupation forces stormed al-Aqsa Mosque and used stun grenades to disperse the protesters.

Occupation police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told AFP there was "high tension" in the area surrounding the mosque, ahead of discussions expected in the Israeli parliament later Tuesday of a plan to annex the holy site.

The Israeli Knesset, or parliament, is due to debate in the evening a bill introduced by MP Moshe Feiglin, a hardline member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, which envisages the "application of Israeli sovereignty" over the compound.

No vote is envisaged at the end of debate. Netanyahu is opposed to the bill and commentators say it is unlikely to attract much support.