Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz decided to authorize 500
Israeli-Arabs to enter the
Gaza Strip during the four-day Id al-Fitr holiday, in order to allow them to visit first-degree relatives.
In special cases, more distant relatives will be allowed through, for humanitarian reasons.
Mofaz's decision was brought to the High Court of Justice in response to a petition by the Center for the Defense of the Individual, Israel Radio reported.
The state's response added that security officials were concerned that traffic between Gaza and Israel includes security risks; the passage was to be allowed despite dangers, in honor of the holiday.
