GAZA CITY (Ma’an) -- A delegation of senior Fatah officials arrived in the Gaza Strip on Thursday ahead of the party's first rally in Gaza since Hamas took control in 2007.

Fatah founder Abdul Aziz Shaheen, known as Abu Ali, entered Gaza for the first time in more than five years, crossing from Egypt through the Rafah crossing.

He is accompanied by Fatah Central Committee member and former PA security chief Jibril Al-Rajoub, as well as Osama Al-Qawasmi, the spokesman of Fatah in the West Bank.

The 48th anniversary festival will take place in Gaza City's al-Saraya square after prayers on Friday. Fatah leader President Mahmoud Abbas has recorded a speech to be played at the festival.