Jerusalem, August 12 (RHC)-- In occupied East Jerusalem, Israeli forces fired tear gas, sound grenades and rubber bullets inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque Sunday as Palestinians gathered for the first day of Eid al-Adha.  Dozens of Palestinians were injured in the attack. 

Clashes arose after authorities allowed hundreds of religious Israeli Jews to enter the holy site of Al-Aqsa for prayer during Eid.  Jews are usually allowed to enter the site, but are not permitted to pray there.  

Palestinian diplomat and member of the Palestine Liberation Organization Hanan Ashrawi said: “The storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque compound by Israeli occupation forces this Eid morning is an act of recklessness and aggression.”

The clashes at Al-Aqsa Mosque came as Israeli soldiers killed five men in Gaza at the separation barrier with Israel.  The Israeli military said it fatally shot four armed Palestinians Saturday and another man on Sunday.