Israel tightenes restrictions over Gaza Strip

Israel tightened restrictions on nonresidents seeking to enter Gaza Strip. Dozens remained in the area with expired permits.

The army sealed off the Gaza Strip earlier this month due to fears that opponents to a plan to withdraw next month from Gaza and four West Bank settlements would flow into the coastal strip in an attempt to sabotage the evacuation. But special permits have been granted to people who wanted to visit family and friends who live in the 21 settlements slated for evacuation, the AP reports.

Israeli media have reported that there are at least 2,000 nonresidents in the Gaza settlements at the moment.