The emir of Qatar became the first head of state to visit the Gaza strip on Tuesday, which has been under blockade and largely shunned since Hamas came to power in 2007.
After a grand reception and welcome of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and his wife, the Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, made his address, stating:
"You are today, by this visit, declaring the breaking of the unjust blockade,"
"Today we declare victory against the blockade through this historic visit," he said. "We say thank you, Emir, thank you Qatar for this noble Arab stance ... Hail to the blood of martyrs which brought us to this moment."
The President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas - who has been derided by Hamas for his negotiations - reportedly said he 'hoped the visit would not undermine efforts to rebuild Palestinian unity, or signal approval for a separate Palestinian territory in Gaza'.
Whilst, Yigal Palmor the foreign ministry spokesperson for Israel was "astounded" and said:
"No one understands why he would fund an organization which has become notorious with committing suicide bombings and firing rockets on civilians. By hugging Hamas, the Emir of Qatar is really someone who has thrown peace under the bus."
