Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal arrived in the Gaza Strip Friday, his first-ever visit to the salient after years in exile, dpa reported. Mashaal entered Gaza through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. He was welcomed by Hamas prime minister Ismail Haniya, leaders of other Palestinian groups. Representatives of the rival Fatah movement of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who governs the West Bank, were also present. Mashaal's visit to mark the 25th anniversary of Hamas, comes after a ceasefire last month that ended an eight-day conflict between Hamas and Israel.
