Some 254 Palestinians crossed the Erez checkpoint between northern Gaza and Israel and were then taken by bus to the El-Oja (Nizana) crossing between Egypt and Israel, Palestinian officials responsible for coordination with Israel said.

Most of the Palestinians either study or work abroad, they said, adding that it was the first time in several months that Israel had allowed people to cross into Egypt.

No immediate comment was available from the Israelis.

Since Hamas, which is pledged to the Jewish state's destruction, violently seized control of Gaza in mid-June Israel has imposed ever-tighter restrictions on the movement of goods and people out of the impoverished territory.

The Rafah terminal with Egypt -- Gaza's only border crossing that bypasses Israel -- has been closed by Egypt and Israel.

Agencies

Güncelleme Tarihi: 02 Aralık 2007, 18:11