Palestinian PM arrives in Gaza

7 years ago

Palestinian Prime Minister, Rami Hamdallah delivers a press conference in Gaza on 2 October 2017 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah crossed into the besieged Gaza Strip today in a major move towards reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah, after a decade of tensions.

Hamas announced last week that it was handing over administrative control of the Gaza Strip to a unity government headed Hamdallah.

Hamas’ reversal was the most significant step towards elusive Palestinian unity since the government was formed in 2014. It failed to function in Gaza because of disputes between Hamas and Fatah over its responsibilities.

Analysts said narrowing internal divisions could help Western-backed President Mahmoud Abbas counter Israel’s argument that it has no negotiating partner for peace.

Read: Hamas has good intention on reconciliation, says senior Fatah official

A Hamas police honour guard and hundreds of Palestinians, many of them waving Palestinian flags, welcomed Hamdallah outside the Hamas-controlled checkpoint, down the road from Israel’s Erez border crossing through which the prime minister and his delegation passed.

“It is a day of Eid, a national holiday,” said Abdel-Majid Ali, 46. “We hope this time reconciliation is for real.”

Last month, Hamas disbanded its Gaza shadow government.

Security forces are seen as Palestinian Prime Minister, Rami Hamdallah arrives to Gaza on 1 October 2017 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Officials arrive with Palestinian Prime Minister, Rami Hamdallah to Gaza on 1 October 2017 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Palestinian Prime Minister, Rami Hamdallah receives a warm welcome in Gaza on 2 October 2017 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Palestinian Prime Minister, Rami Hamdallah delivers a press conference in Gaza on 2 October 2017 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Palestinian Prime Minister, Rami Hamdallah receives a warm welcome in Gaza on 2 October 2017 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Crowds form to welcome the Palestinian Prime Minister, Rami Hamdallah to Gaza on 2 October 2017 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Palestinian security forces keep watch as crowds form to welcome the Palestinian Prime Minister, Rami Hamdallah to Gaza on 2 October 2017 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]