UN coordinator in Gaza for talks with Hamas leaders

By Ramzy Mahmoud

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) – UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, arrived in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday for talks with Hamas leaders on the territory’s humanitarian conditions.

Wennesland crossed into Gaza through the Israeli-controlled Erz crossing, a Palestinian source told Anadolu Agency.

He said the UN coordinator’s visit to the enclave will last for few hours.

Upon his arrival, Wennesland met with Hamas leaders to discuss the humanitarian and security conditions in Gaza, the source added on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media.

There was no comment from Hamas group on the visit.

Wennesland had visited Gaza on June 21, where he met with Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar for talks on stabilizing a cease-fire with Israel and to address the humanitarian crisis in the strip.

Home to more than 2 million people, the Gaza Strip has been reeling under a crippling Israeli blockade since 2007, badly affecting livelihood in the seaside enclave.

Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara