GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- A number of Palestinians say they are stranded abroad because Egypt has denied them transit visas to return to Gaza.
Palestinians in Lebanon, Turkey, Libya and Kenya have contacted Ma'an, saying they were refused Egyptian visas.
Gaza residents can only enter or leave the enclave via the Rafah crossing on Egypt's border due to Israel's blockade of Gaza's other borders and sea port.
Salim, who is in Istanbul, told Ma'an the Egyptian consulate said it had been instructed by the Egyptian government to stop issuing visas to Palestinians.
Another Palestinian, who asked not to be identified but is also in Istanbul, said an employee of the Egyptian consulate told him he would not be given a visa "because the Palestinians killed Egyptian soldiers in Sinai."
A Palestinian in Algeria told Ma'an he had booked a flight to Cairo but was told he could not board the flight. The airline also refused to postpone his ticket, he added.
Palestinians have reported problems returning to Gaza via Egypt since gunmen killed 16 Egyptian officers near the Gaza border on Aug. 5. Hamas has denied speculation that militants from Gaza were involved in the attack. more
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