JERUSALEM (JTA) — The emir of Qatar, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, became the first head of state to visit the Gaza Strip since Hamas took over in 2007.
Al-Thani was greeted by a Palestinian honor guard as he entered Gaza on Tuesday from Egypt. He is heading a humanitarian mission to launch reconstruction projects totaling $250 million, according to Reuters, and pledged another $150 million in projects during the visit.
The emir was scheduled to speak at the Gaza City stadium. Thousands of security guards secured his visit.
