The last time Milad Ayyad travelled outside of the Israeli-blockaded Gaza Strip he was just 10 years old but for Christmas he received a "priceless" gift to visit Bethlehem. On the eve of Christmas Eve, Israeli authorities gave Ayyad, who is now 30 years old, a blue slip allowing him to visit the biblical birthplace of Jesus Christ. "It's a great joy to (finally) get a permit," Ayyad tells AFP, adding that he had tried for years to secure one to no avail. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES