In July 1, Yasser Arafat, head of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), returned to Palestine for the first time in 33 years. Israel's control of Palestine had prevented his visiting the region because he was a sworn enemy of Israel and, in turn, was regarded by Israelis as a terrorist. The agreement between Israel and the PLO, signed in September 1993, had made possible Arafat's return. He went first to Gaza City in the Gaza Strip , he was welcomed by a crowd estimated at 200,000. Three days later he flew by helicopter to the city of Jericho.Both areas had been granted Palestinian rule by the treaty.