A Gazan official has said that hundreds of stranded Palestinians, including members of parliament and patients, were mistreated by Egyptian police during their return from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after performing hajj (Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca).

Interior Ministry Spokesman Islam Shahwan told Asharq Alawsat on Sunday that he received complaints from stranded citizens who said they were detained and threatened by Egyptian police officers.

Shahwan denounced the mistreatment that the returning Palestinians were subjected to at the Rafah border, asking the Egyptian government for an official apology and the Palestinian authorities for a united response.

Eyewitnesses said that the travelers include elders and children as well as patients who have traveled for surgery.

Rafah-border guards began a strike on Friday to express anger against the kidnappings of seven Egyptian security forces the day before.