Palestinians launch new Gaza housing project

Palestinians on Saturday launched a new UAE-sponsored housing project set to rise from the rubble of a former Jewish settlement.

UAE Information Minister Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Gaza to lay the foundation stone for the Shaikh Khalifa housing project at the site of the bulldozed Morag settlement.

The $100 million (Dh368 million) Sheikh Khalifa city, named afer UAE president Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is expected to house up to 40,000 Palestinians. Work on the project is to start on Sunday

Shaikh Khalifa ordered that city, with all amenities, be constructed on the grounds of Israeli colonies, which were vacated by Israeli troops.

"We hope to start a new era of construction," Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said at the ground breaking ceremony.

"Today we are laying the foundation stone for a Palestinian city on the remains of Morag settlement to give a chance for our people to lead a normal life in dignity."