Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas traveled to the Gaza Strip on Saturday in his first visit to the tumultuous region since a deadly outbreak of factional violence, Palestinian officials said.

Abbas, who spends most of his time at his headquarters in the West Bank town of Ramallah, arrived Saturday afternoon to celebrate the Eid al-Adha holiday, according to his office. He was also expected to attend ceremonies for the anniversary of his Fatah movement on Monday.

Fatah and Hamas militants waged deadly street battles earlier this month that killed 17 people, paralyzed much of Gaza and led to fears of a civil war. A shaky cease-fire agreed to last week has largely ended the violence.

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Before leaving Ramallah, Abbas criticized Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, saying he had broken his promise to release Palestinian prisoners ahead of the holiday.

Olmert and Abbas met last week and the Israeli leader agreed to a series of gestures, including easing travel restrictions in the West Bank. Israeli officials said he would also consider a small prisoner release to help strengthen Abbas in his rivalry with Hamas.

But Israeli officials said Friday that no prisoners would be freed until an Israeli soldier captured by Hamas-linked militants in June was freed.

Abbas said Olmert had promised him that he would release prisoners.

"Unfortunately, this didn't happen, and we hope that he will fulfill his
promise after the holiday," Abbas told reporters.