Qatari aid enters Gaza through Rafah crossing

Officials at the Rafah Border Crossing confirmed on Tuesday that Egypt has allowed almost one hundred truckloads of building materials donated by Qatar to enter the Gaza Strip. Supplied by the Egyptian Arab Contractors Company, the materials will be used for building projects funded by the Qatari government as part of the reconstruction of the beleaguered territory.

More materials will be allowed across the border in batches, officials said. The Qatari projects include a residential development in the Khan Younis area as well as a 30 kilometre stretch of road and a hospital.

The Egyptian authorities have announced that the border crossing will be open from 9am to 3pm daily until Friday. Palestinians resident in Egypt and other countries, university students and medical cases will be allowed to leave Gaza. Pilgrims heading for Saudi Arabia to perform the annual pilgrimage will also be allowed to use the Rafah crossing.