Elei Sinai, Gaza Strip- Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas toured this abandoned Jewish settlement Monday, just hours after Israel pulled out of the Gaza Strip, and shook hands with well-wishers.
Abbas reiterated that Palestinians have a right to celebrate the historic day, but that the statehood is still a distant prospect.
He also reiterated that no agreement has been reached with Israel on the Egypt-Gaza border crossings, which has been closed. "What is important is not turn Gaza into a big jail," he was quoted as saying by The Associated Press. "The next step is to end the occupation of the West Bank and to establish our state."