Gaza celebrations begin First official Palestinian Authority celebration marks Israeli withdrawal from Gaza Strip; Mahmoud Abbas: this is first step in creating Palestinian state with Jerusalem as capital By Ali Waked 8/12/05 Celebrations have already begun - Tens of thousands of Palestinians participated in the first official ceremony to mark Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip on Friday evening. The ceremony saw Palestinian Authority Chairman Abu Mazen and other PA senior figures take part. Mahmoud Abbas greeted by crowds in Gaza (Photo: Reuters) Dozens of fishermen in boats adorned with Palestinian flags sailed past the ceremony. Abu Mazen, who was...