A senior Fatah leader is visiting Gaza for the first time since the territory was seized by Fatah's Islamic militant Hamas rivals in 2007.

Nabil Shaath, a Gaza native, said Wednesday that his three-day trip is meant to improve the atmosphere between the two factions. Repeated attempts at reconciliation have failed.

Shaath handed his passport to Hamas border guards for registration, in a symbolic recognition of Hamas authority. Shaath says the trip has the blessing of Fatah's leader, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Shaath plans to meet Hamas leaders, but says he won't begin reconciliation talks while in the territory. A member of Shaath's group, West Bank businessman Munib al-Masri, met with Gaza's Hamas prime minister.