Israel has threatened to close the recently-opened Palestinian airport in Gaza because of a dispute over security.

Israel radio said Israeli security personnel were prevented from checking an Egyptian plane bringing the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, back to Gaza on Sunday.

The head of the Israeli Civil Aviation Authority said that if there was another similar incident, the airport would be shut down at once.

Under the terms of the latest peace accord, Israel has responsibility for security at the airport.