Israel has approved the construction of 78 new homes in two settlements on West Bank land, in a move that is likely to aggravate Palestinian anger at a time when violence has flared.

Jerusalem has seen unrest in the past few weeks over access to the Jerusalem's most sacred and politically sensitive site - known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif - which is holy to both Jews and Muslims.

Yesterday, two Palestinians killed four rabbis and a policeman at a Jerusalem synagogue, the worst attack in the city since 2008.

Israeli security forces have announced that the homes of the two men are to be knocked down in retaliation.