While touring the region, an American congressional delegation headed by John Kerry arrived in the Gaza Strip. The visit is considered the first of its kind since the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) took control of the strip in the summer of 2007. The delegation included the former American presidential candidate along with two democratic members of Congress, Brian Baird and Keith Ellison.
Immediately after their arrival in Gaza, the American officials headed to the Beit Hanoun Crossing to survey the destruction of dozens of houses inflicted by the Israeli aggression. The delegation also visited the United Nations’ humanitarian aid distribution center in the Zaytoun neighborhood of Gaza City and assisted workers there, listening to the conditions and the needs of the inhabitants of Gaza after the war.
The Associated Press reported that HAMAS official Ahmed Yousef welcomed the delegation’s visit, saying, “We highly appreciate the visit of any delegation that wants to find out the facts and see what has happened on the ground in Gaza.”
A German news agency had reported that the delegation would meet with a number of Palestinians, including HAMAS. However, U.S. consulate spokeswoman Mica Schweitzer-Bloom and other officials mentioned that the delegation will meet with international and aid officials, but there are no plans to meet with members of HAMAS. This is in accordance with Washington’s policy that labels HAMAS as a terrorist organization. Before entering the Gaza Strip, Kerry stated to reporters in the Southern Israeli city of Sderot that the policy of his country toward HAMAS has not changed. It was mentioned that American diplomats have been prohibited from entering the Gaza Strip since 2003 for security reasons. This happened after a roadside bomb was planted targeting an American Embassy convoy. However, this prohibition does not apply to members of congress.
The delegation also traveled to Lebanon yesterday and met with President Michel Suleiman and parliamentary majority leader Saad Al-Hariri. They will be traveling to Syria next Saturday to continue their tour of the region.
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