Islamic Hamas movement on Wednesday welcomed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' declaration that he would go to the Gaza Strip to work at ending political split.
"Hamas welcomes Mr. Abbas' response to Mr. Ismail Haneya's call to visit Gaza," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said.
"Hamas will follow preparations for this visit," Abu Zuhri told Xinhua.
Earlier on Wednesday, Abbas said he is ready to go to the Gaza Strip in translating of public desire to end split between Gaza and the West Bank.
"I call on Ismail Haneya to arrange for my visit to Gaza in coordination and understanding with factions and public activities in the Gaza Strip," Abbas said during a meeting for Palestine Liberation Organization's Central Council in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
Abbas also called on Gazans to expect him and prepare to receive him at Erez crossing point in northern Gaza by a period of four days.
However, Abbas said he will not restart dialogue with Hamas, because the controversial issues had been discussed several times in the past.
When he is in Gaza, Abbas said he will call for the formation of a technocratic, independent government to prepare for elections, vowing that he will not run for presidential elections.
The split started in June 2007, when Hamas routed pro-Abbas forces, ousted his Fatah movement and took over Gaza, leaving Abbas and the Palestinian National Authority confined to the West Bank.
On Tuesday, Haneya invited Abbas for an urgent meeting in Gaza, which the Palestinian president has not visited since 2007.
The initiatives from both Haneya and Abbas came after mass protests took place in Gaza and the West Bank calling for unity.
Abbas urged Haneya and Hamas to accept his visit and called on people to put pressure on Hamas to accept his initiative.
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