Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Office instructed the heads of security services to work to facilitate the entry of American citizens residing in the Gaza Strip into Israel, as he pushes for Israel's entry in the U.S. visa exemption program.

According to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, security officials have raised concerns about the risks of such a step. Ronen Bar, head of the Shin Bet, has held talks on this issue with senior U.S. officials.

Netanyahu's office has made it clear to security officials that meeting the criteria from the visa waiver program is a top priority for the administration, Haaretz said. 

The policy is an attempt to meet the condition of equal treatment of any American citizen at Israel's land and air borders.

Israel's security at its borders is known for strenuous and invasive security processes against people of Palestinian origin. 

Last week, Israel published a new procedure that would ease restrictions imposed on the movement of Palestinians who hold American citizenship when entering Israel, as well as when crossing into the West Bank.

While Americans living in Gaza Strip are treated more strictly, the new procedure does not detail their ability to enter and exit Israel freely during their stay. It does, however, guarantee that they enter through the Allenby Crossing on the Jordanian border, and they will be required to request permission to do so from Israel and the Palestinian Authority before at least 45 days before their travel dates.

Israel's security establishment fears that lifting restrictions on movement will be abused by "hostile actors," Haaretz says.