Quds city (JERUSALEM), February 19, SPA -- The American consulate says U.S. lawmakers are visiting the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. Consulate spokeswoman Micaela Schweitzer-Bluhm was quoted as saying by Associated Press that Thursday's visit by Democrats Brian Baird of Washington and Keith Ellison of Minnesota is the first of its kind to Gaza in at least four years. She says Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts is also expected to arrive in Gaza later Thursday for meeting with officials from international organizations there. The lawmakers are expected to meet with U.N. officials, and there are no plans to talk to the ruling Hamas group.
