Palestinian prime minister in 'historic visit' to Gaza
After a decade of divide, the Palestinian Authority is expected to take over the administration of the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah arrived in the occupied Gaza Strip on Monday, in the latest effort at national reconciliation between the West Bank-based PA and the Hamas government in Gaza.
In a press conference upon his arrival, Hamdallah described the visit as a "historic moment" towards unity of the Palestinian people.
"We came at the orders of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to announce to the world, from the heart of Gaza that the Palestinian state cannot be without political and geographic unity between the West Bank and Gaza
"We know that the only way to achieve our goals is through unity, and to protect the Palestinian political system," said Hamdallah, adding that the national unity government would start to assume its administrative responsibility of the Strip.
The premier also announced that several committees have been established to handle issues such as border crossings and PA employees in the Strip.
The visit is Hamdallah's first to Gaza in two years.
"We look forward to turning over the page of division forever, and achieving comprehensive national reconciliation that would strengthen the perseverance of our people and preserve their rights," Iyad al-Buzom, spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior in Gaza, said in a statement ahead of the visit.
Hamdallah will also be visiting the Shujayea neighbourhood, where the Israeli army committed a massacre during the 2014 war on Gaza.
An Egyptian security delegation led by the Egyptian ambassador to Israel, Hazem Khairat, will be monitoring the reconciliation process.
END