Mending fences in Gaza. Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah arrived under heavy security for meetings with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
It's the first time a Fatah party leader has been to the Hamas dominated strip in seven years. The goal of today's visit is to kickstart a unity government after years of discord.
Touring Beit Hanoun, Hamdallah vowed to rebuild areas destroyed by 50 days of fighting with Israel --- It was a message embraced by locals.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) RESIDENT OF GAZA, OMAR SHAHEEN, SAYING:
"We are optimistic over this visit. It means a lot. It means rebuilding and unity."
Gaza locals are all too aware that securing the funding to rebuild will require both parties set aside differences in order to present a united front at a donor's conference in Egypt later this month.
Western nations have been wary of providing aid to the area due to Hamas, which many see as a terrorist organization. Locals are hoping that the more west
