Summary Thousands gather in Gaza Strip to catch a glimpse of Mohammed Assaf.
RAFAH AP - The first Palestinian winner of the Arab Idol contest has returned to the Gaza Strip in a chaotic welcome by thousands waiting to catch a glimpse of him.
A convoy of cars drove through the crossing between Egypt and Gaza Tuesday afternoon. Mohammed Assaf s manager, Wael Yazagi, confirms the singer has returned to Gaza.
Thousands more waited outside Assaf s home in the Khan Younis refugee camp. Palestine TV broadcast the homecoming live, but there was no immediate sign of the singer.
Assaf s weekend victory in the TV competition has given Palestinians a sense of pride and national unity.
However, Palestinian divisions were apparent during Assaf s return to Gaza, ruled by the Islamic militant group Hamas. Devout Muslims consider TV singing contests as forbidden by religion.
