Mahmoud Abbas
Photo: AFP
Will Abbas visit Gaza?
Ma'an reports Hamas minister invited Palestinian president to Strip in attempt at reconciliation
The Palestinian news agency Ma'an reported Sunday that Mahmoud Abbas had
confided in his affiliates that he would soon visit the Gaza Strip in order to end the rift between his Fatah
faction and the rival Hamas.
The report, which has already ignited tensions in the West Bank and the Strip, added that the Palestinian president was closely following a flotilla scheduled to arrive at the Gazan shore Monday.
Hamas's interior minister, Fathi Hamad, invited Abbas to Gaza last week. He said his government would supply the leader with the security necessary for such a move.
The speaker of the Palestinian legislative council, Aziz Dweik, said in response to the Ma'an report that he was hoping to accompany the president on his visit. "We miss the Strip and its residents," he said.
"A move like this, which I commend, is a step towards consolidating Palestinian unity before a ruthless and unprecedented Israeli attack."
Neither Abbas's office nor the Hamas government has officially confirmed the report.
