Palestinian PM convenes first government meeting in Gaza

Rami Hamdallah (Photo by محمد الفلسطيني – File:Επίσημη επίσκεψη Αντιπροέδρου της Κυβέρνησης και ΥΠΕΞ Ευ. Βενιζέλου στην έδρα της Παλαιστινιακής Αρχής (09.10.2013).jpg, CC BY-SA 2.0)

GAZA, Palestinian Territory — The Palestinian prime minister has held the first government meeting in Gaza as part of a major reconciliation effort to end the 10-year rift between Fatah and the militant Hamas group.

Rami Hamdallah said after Tuesday’s meeting, which took place at the Gaza residence of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, that he’s ready “to take over tasks and resolve all pending issues” with the coastal strip.

In a significant concession, Hamas has agreed to turn over all governing responsibilities to Hamdallah.

The Palestinian premier arrived in Gaza on Monday with armed guards and an entourage of West Bank officials to a hero’s welcome from thousands of people.

Huge posters of Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who brokered the reconciliation effort, were featured outside Abbas’ residence as Hamas policemen were deployed all around.