Palestinians in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip will be allowed to travel to Egypt through Israel on Sunday, local authorities announced on Saturday.
The first group to leave is made up of some 100 people, most of them students who have admissions at universities in Egypt and other countries, said Hussein al-Sheikh, the official in charge of civil coordination with Israel.
"We are doing with great efforts to let tomorrow's mission succeed because this will mean that thousands will be able to leave in the coming days," al-Sheikh added.
The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt has been closed since mid-June as a result of Hamas' violent takeover of Gaza enclave.
In the wake of the takeover, Abbas dismissed the Hamas-led coalition government and formed a Hamas-free caretaker government in Ramallah, with which Israel and the international community are now dealing.
The number of people trapped in Gaza is estimated at 4,000. Most of them have arrived in the coastal enclave before Hamas defeated security forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah movement and overran the area.
Israel has accepted the departure of these people through its territories.
Between late last month and earlier this month, Israel has let some 6,000 Palestinians stranded in Egypt back to the Gaza Strip using Nitzana crossing between Israel and Sinai Peninsula and then Erez crossing in northern Gaza.
Al-Sheikh said the Gazans can travel after having the procedures done via the civil coordination office in Gaza which reports to the caretaker government in Ramallah.
Source: Xinhua
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