The leader of Hamas Khaled Mashaal visited the Gaza Strip for the first time this weekend on a landmark trip to the sliver of land ruled by his Islamic militant movement.(Photo: Bassem Tellawi, AP)
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- Hamas chief Khaled Mashaal has arrived
in the Gaza Strip for his first-ever visit. The landmark trip reflects
his militant group's burgeoning international acceptance.
Mashaal had left the West Bank as a child and currently leads the Islamic movement from Qatar.
Mashaal
crossed the Egyptian border on Friday and was greeted by Hamas
officials and representatives of the rival Fatah party. He kissed the
ground as Palestinian orphans - children of Gaza militants killed by
Israel in recent years - rushed to greet him.
Mashaal's visit
comes after he led the Hamas delegation that accepted a truce to stop
last month's eight-day conflict between Israel and Gaza.
Gaza officials are portraying the landmark visit as a celebration of what they call Hamas' victory in the recent fighting.
Associated Press