GAZA, Jan. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Palestinian security sources reported Wednesday that the Israeli army troops banned hundreds of Palestinian pilgrims from passing through the Erez border crossing between Gaza and Israel.

    The Israeli army imposed full closure on the crossing shortly after a Palestinian militant was killed in an exchange of fire with Israeli soldiers at Erez. Three Palestinian police officers were also injured.

    Sources also said that Palestinian workers were also banned from entering into Israel.

    Israel made Erez crossing an alternative for Palestinian pilgrims after the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt was closed a month ago when Palestinian militants detonated a tunnel bomb under an Israeli outpost in the area killing five soldiers. Enditem