Israel allows 400 Christians from Gaza to head to Bethlehem

Palestinian Prime Minister, Rami Hamdallah attends the lighting of the Christmas tree on December 1, 2018 at the Manger Square near the Church of the Nativity, revered as the site of Jesus Christ’s birth, in the biblical West Bank town of Bethlehem. [Prime Minister Office/Apaimages]

Israeli occupation authorities issued 400 travel permits for Christians in the Gaza Strip to celebrate Christmas in the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem.

According to informed sources, authorities issued 400 permits to a number of Christian families, which have already set off for Bethlehem since the ninth of this month and continue to travel through the Beit Hanoun crossing until the 25.

Palestinian news site Ma’an reported that occupation authorities granted permits those over 55 years of age while Palestinians aged between 16 and 25 are subject to “security” checks.

Israel has imposed a stifling siege on the Gaza Strip since 2007, limiting Palestinians’ movement and access to basic good including construction materials.

READ: Tourism in Bethlehem booming as Christmas nears

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