UN Mideast peace envoy arrives in Gaza Strip

UN Mideast peace envoy Nikolay Mladenov arrived here on Monday through Israeli-controlled Erez crossing in northern the coastal enclave to oversee national reconciliation efforts.

The visit comes a few hours ahead of the arrival of a delegation representing the Palestinian Authority to take over ministerial responsibilities from Hamas.

The delegation is led by Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, who will be visiting the Strip for the first time in three years.

In press statements, head of the popular committee for confronting Gaza Blockade Gamal el Khodari welcomed the arrival of the PA delegation, saying it is a good step that will help end years of divisions.

He thanked Egypt for its tireless efforts to achieve Palestinian national reconciliation, welcoming the arrival of an Egyptian delegation to the Strip to follow up the application of the reconciliation agreement between Hamas and Fatah.

Earlier in the month, Hamas agreed to dissolve the administrative committee that was formed in March to run the besieged Gaza Strip, to form a national unity government and hand over government responsibilities to Fatah officials.

Source: MENA