Homecoming

Hamas Leader Returns to Gaza

For the first time since 1967.

Khaled Meshaal, the political leader of Hamas, returned to Gaza on Friday for the first time since leaving after the Six Day War in 1967. He entered Gaza through Egypt, beginning a three-day tour of Gaza, which a Hamas spokesman described as “a fruit of the victory of the resistance over the occupation.” Meshaal is expected to address a huge rally in Gaza City on Saturday and to discuss reconciliation with the Fatah movement, which now controls much of the West Bank. Upon his return, he said in a statement, “I consider this moment my third birth, and I pray to God that my fourth birth will be the moment when all of Palestine is liberated.” Hamas says in its charter that is committed to the destruction of Israel.