A thousand leave Gaza, but the Egyptians send back 72

More than a thousand Palestinians crossed into Egypt via the Rafah border crossing on Sunday. The Egyptian authorities sent back 72 people, according to Gaza’s Borders and Crossings Authority; no reasons were given. The Egyptians opened the crossing on Monday for foreign passport holders and it is expected that all categories of travellers will be allowed to leave or enter Gaza today (Tuesday 5 January).

In a press statement, the Palestinian Borders and Crossings Authority said that those who were allowed into Egypt included very sick people, students, and holders of visas for other countries and overseas residence permits. The Authority added that around 190 Palestinians were expected to return to the Gaza Strip on Monday.