The first direct air flight for Gaza strip pilgrims

The chairman of the Palestinian Aviation Authority, Maj. Gen. Fayez Zeidan, said that the first direct flight for pilgrims from the Gaza Strip took off on Monday from Gaza International Airport to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Zeidan told journalists that some 400 pilgrims, the first shift of Gaza Strip pilgrims, left on Monday morning on board four planes. One of these planes, a Boeing 727, is a gift from Saudi Arabia's Prince al-Walid Bin Talal.

Al-Awqaf ministry secretary at the PA Sheikh Youssef Juma said that 3,600 pilgrims from the Gaza Strip will leave for Saudi Arabia via Gaza Airport in direct air flights.

He added, "This is, however, another step to facilitate the travel of pilgrims," noting that pilgrims of the West Bank (4,600) will be obliged to travel via al-Lanbi crossing on the border with Jordan.