West Bank, February 1, 2010 (Pal Telegraph) - A Fatah official on Monday announced he would visit the Gaza Strip, despite Hamas' insistence that its written permission is required.

"Gaza is part of our home, so I don't need to ask for a visa or other special permission from anyone," said Nabil Shaath, a member of Fatah's Central Committee.

Shaath said that PA President Mahmoud Abbas has assigned him to visit Gaza and he would do this soon.

Earlier, Fatehi Hammad, interior minister of the Hamas-led government in Gaza, said that any member of Fatah should get written permission from the Hamas government before coming to Gaza.

Hamas has been in control of the Gaza Strip since it ousted Fatah in deadly fighting in June 2007. Abbas' rule has been confined to the West Bank since then.

Meanwhile, Shaath said he "might meet" with members of Hamas' government. "I will meet anyone wishing to sit with me; I will meet my people, my fellows and Hamas' sons and all the other factions."

Abbas had imposed a ban on direct talks with Hamas, except as part of formal reconciliation discussions, since February 2009.

Source: Xinhua