An unlimited number of West Bank Palestinians will be allowed to enter Israel for holiday and family gatherings.

More than 10,000 permits valid between Dec. 20 and Jan. 20 have already been issued, according to the IDF spokesperson and the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories spokesman in a statement released Thursday.

In addition, 300 Christian-Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip over the age of 35 will be allowed to enter the West Bank for 24 hours during the Christmas holiday. Another 300 Christian Palestinians will be permitted to cross to the Ben Gurion International Airport. These permits will be issued subject to a security clearance.

During the holiday season, all the crossings into Bethlehem will be open 24 hours a day, according to an IDF official. Additional staff from the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria are scheduled to help ensure easy passage for visitors.

"Israeli security forces will continue to operate in order to ensure freedom of religion and normal way of life for Palestinians uninvolved in terrorism," the statement said.