JERUSALEM, Israel -- Israeli police officers took 18 Arabs into custody Sunday for throwing rocks at Christian tourists and Israeli security forces.

After about 50 Arabs began pelting a Christian tour group, a similar number of Israeli police were dispatched to the area to deal with the assault.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said three policemen were injured during the confrontation, allegedly sparked by rumors that a group of Israelis planned to "storm" the Temple Mount Sunday morning.

The Jordanian newspaper al-Dustour, published a report over the weekend alleging that a group of religious Israeli Jews planned to enter the site to "strengthen Israeli sovereignty" there, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Last Sunday, police prevented a group of Israelis led by Likud activist Moshe Feiglin from entering the Temple Mount to avoid a similar confrontation there.