HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser being greeted by Prime Minister Ismail Haniya on their arrival in Gaza
HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani called for Palestinian unity as he made a landmark visit to the Gaza Strip yesterday.
Poems were recited and red carpets unfurled as part of the lavish ceremonies Gaza’s Palestinians put on as HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa, accompanied by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, arrived to inaugurate multimillion dollar projects to rebuild the impoverished territory.
HH the Emir was also accompanied by HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani and a delegation, including ministers, high-ranking officials and dignitaries.
Addressing a ceremony at the Islamic University of Gaza (IUG) yesterday evening, the Emir praised the Gazan people’s courage as they faced “the enemy’s aircraft and internationally-prohibited weapons”, stressing that the Palestinian cause, with its ramifications and concerns, remained a “bleeding wound in the Arab body”.
The Emir urged Palestinians to end the division between the West Bank and Gaza, calling for a “new phase” of reconciliation and agreement in line with the foundations reached in Doha and Cairo.
“It’s about time Palestinians turn over the page of division and open a new chapter for reconciliation and agreement, based on the agreements in Doha and Cairo, with sincere efforts from Palestinian President brother Mahmoud Abbas and head of the Hamas political bureau Khalid Mishal,” he said.
Gaza’s Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya hailed the Emir’s visit as a “victory” over the political and economic siege on his government.
“You are officially declaring the end of the political and economic blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip by the forces of injustice and tyranny,” he told the Emir.
“Today we demolish the wall of the blockade through this visit, thank you Qatar!” he said.
Thousands of Qatari and Palestinian flags fluttered as the Emir crossed into Gaza from Egypt and was warmly greeted by a large delegation of top Hamas officials led by Haniya and his cabinet.
He then launched a number of Qatar-funded projects before visiting the Islamic University, where he and Sheikha Moza bint Nasser received honorary doctorates.
Last month, Qatar said it would invest $ 254mn in rebuilding Gaza which sustained major damage during a 22-day Israeli military operation that began in late December 2008.
But on opening a Qatari project to build 1,000 homes in the southern city of Khan Younis, Haniya announced the Emir had decided to significantly increase the initial sum.
“The Emir agreed to increase the Qatari investment from $ 254mn to $ 400mn,” Haniya said as Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa laid the foundation stone for the project named in his honour.
The increased funding would mean extra homes will be built in Hamad Residential Town and will also go towards a $ 25mn housing project for prisoners released last year in a landmark swap deal with Israel.
