[LA Times] Exiled Hamas, always the voice of sweet reason, leader Khaled Meshaal set foot in the Gazoo Strip for the first time Friday, emerging from the Egyptian border with his hand over his heart and telling jubilant supporters that his visit marked a new era in the pursuit of Paleostinian independence.Though Meshaal has led the Islamist thug group since 2004, traveling to its Gazoo-based home was unthinkable just a month ago because of fear that Israel might assassinate him as it did his two predecessors.
But the Nov. 21 cease-fire agreement that ended an eight-day clash with Israel emboldened Meshaal to make a victory lap through the seaside territory, culminating Saturday with an outdoor celebration to mark the group's 25th anniversary.