More than 1,000 homes for Gazans displaced by war

Khan Yunis, Palestinian Territories: Qatar on Saturday provided more than 1,000 apartments to residents of the Gaza Strip whose homes were destroyed in the 2014 war between Israel and the Islamist Palestinian movement Hamas.

The 50-day conflict killed 2,200 Palestinians and also left 100,000 homeless, according to the United Nations, and also claimed the lives of 70 Israelis.

"Today, we are inaugurating the first phase of the Hamad residential city (project)," said Qatari envoy Mohammed Al-Emadi told reporters in the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis.

A total of 1,060 apartments have been completed and the title deeds were being handed out to their new owners, he said at a ceremony at the apartment complex.

Emadi said that more than 1,2000 apartments are being built and would constitute the second phase of the project, with a third phase to follow.

Qatar has allocated a total of $407 million (373 million euros) for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, including homes, infrastructure and a hospital.

Emadi said the project was delayed for a year due to "restrictions on the entry of construction material" imposed by Israel since 2006, which maintains a blockade on the Palestinian enclave.

Palestinians and international organisations say the restrictions, aimed at preventing the reconstruction of Hamas's military infrastructure, cause significant delays in rebuilding Gaza.

NGOs estimate that with the supply of materials and funding at present levels, Gaza home reconstruction could take decades.