Qatar's Emir arrives in Gaza

Qatari Emir's wife Sheikha Moza Al-Mesnad smiles as she sits next to Gaza's Hamas prime minister's wife during a welcoming ceremony at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt on Oct 23, 2012 in the Gaza Strip city of Rafah. Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, arrived in the Gaza Strip Tuesday as the first foreign leader to visit the territory since Islamic Hamas movement established its rule here in 2007.[Photo/Xinhua]

GAZA - Qatar's Emir, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, arrived in the Gaza Strip Tuesday as the first foreign leader to visit the territory since Islamic Hamas movement established its rule here in 2007.

The Emir, along with his wife, Mouza Bint Nasser, entered the Palestinian enclave through Rafah border crossing point between Gaza and Egypt, with a senior delegation that includes Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani.

Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haneya and senior leaders of the Islamic movement attended an official red-carpet reception for the Qatari dignitaries at the crossing.

During his short visit, the Emir will announce the inauguration of nearly $250 million rebuilding projects.

The Qatari Emir will also participate in cornerstone-lying ceremonies of three projects here, including the renovation of three main roads, a housing complex of 1,000 and a prosthetic center.

The Qatari initiative in Gaza came as a defiance to Israel and the West, who have been trying to keep Hamas under a diplomatic and political isolation. The visit also deals a blow to the West Bank-based Palestinian leadership.