Easter travel ban in Gaza

JERUSALEM — Israeli authorities say they have decided to block most of Gaza’s small Christian community from traveling to Jerusalem for the upcoming Easter holiday, citing security concerns.

COGAT, the defense body that oversees Palestinian civilian concerns, says it will allow only people 55 and older to enter Israel, restrictions it says will keep people from fleeing and migrating. Israel maintains a blockade over the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip and restricts entry from the territory.

Wadie Abunassar, a Catholic Church official, called the restrictions “very sad,” adding it is “not reasonable” to allow a father and mother to enter while “leaving their children back in Gaza.”