Khaled Meshaal to visit Gaza Strip later today after 45 years

Hamas Political Bureau Chief Khaled Meshaal is set to visit the Gaza Strip for the first time in 45 years to attend the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Palestinian resistance movement.

The Hamas political chief is expected to arrive in Gaza City later on Friday.

He will also take part in a “victory rally” on Saturday to congratulate Hamas leaders and fighters for their glory in the eight-day Israeli war on the blockaded Palestinian territory.

Meshaal will enter Gaza from the Rafah border crossing.

During his three-day stay in Gaza, Meshaal is expected to meet with Gaza residents and representatives from different Palestinian movements.

Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, said Meshaal would visit the families of the “martyrs, prisoners, and those injured in the last Israeli aggression against Gaza.”

Over 160 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed and about 1,200 others were injured in the Israeli attacks on Gaza that were carried out during the eight-day period of November 14-21.

Palestinian resistance fighters incessantly poured rockets and missiles onto Israeli cities, killing at least five Israelis, including one soldier, in retaliation for the deadly attacks.