Hamas hopes Moussa's visit to end blockade

GAZA, June 7 (Xinhua) -- The Hamas movement said Monday it hopes Arab League (AL) secretary general's unprecedented visit to Gaza next week would help to break the blockade imposed on the coastal enclave.

Ismail Radwan, a Gaza-based Hamas official, told Xinhua that there are contacts between his movement and the office of the League's Secretary General Amr Moussa, to coordinate his visit to the Hamas-ruled territory.

"Mr. Moussa phoned the government in Gaza and expressed his willingness to visit the strip," Radwan said, noting "it's a very important practical step to break the siege."

Moussa also informed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of his plan. Abbas, who rules the West Bank only, welcomes his initiative, official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported.

Israeli navy forces had attacked a Gaza-bound aid flotilla on May 31, killing eight Turkish citizens and a U.S. citizen of Turkish descent and injuring around 30 others.

Meanwhile, Radwan stressed necessity to lift the siege Israel imposed since his Islamic party controlled the Gaza Strip in 2007, urging for a permanent opening of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, which is closed by Egypt since Hamas violent takeover of Gaza.

Earlier in the day, an aide to Moussa announced that Moussa will visit the Gaza Strip next week. It would be the first trip of an AL chief to the Gaza Strip.

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