The exiled Hamas leader, Khaled Meshaal, visited Gaza for the first time today, via the Egyptian border crossing, after his safety was assured.
Travelling with a convoy of masked Hamas fighters from the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades - Hamas' military wing, Meshaal visited the charred remains of Ahmed al-Jaabari's car, the military commander of Hamas who was killed by an Israeli airstrike last month.
Meshaal was appointed leader after Sheikh Ahmed Yassin was assassinated by Israel in 2004.
Speaking later that day, Meshaal said:
“I hope God will make me a martyr on the land of Palestine in Gaza.”
An Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Yigal Palmor, said,
“This visit by Meshaal, which follows that of the Qatari emir and the Egyptian Prime Minister and other officials, proves there is no Israeli blockade on Gaza.”
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