Arab VIPs including the emir of Qatar are expected to visit the Gaza Strip next week to "completely and officially end the Israeli blockade of several years," Hamas' television station reported Wednesday.

There were also unconfirmed reports that Hamas leader Khaled Meshal will accompany the emir for his first official visit.

The station said Qatar is launching a huge reconstruction project in the Strip, for which building materials will be transferred through the Rafah crossing, which hitherto has been open for people only.

Earlier this week, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh announced that Gaza residents would witness historic developments in the coming week.

It's not clear whether the reference was to a planned visit by the emir, Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, which was meant to take place Tuesday but was put off indefinitely due to the escalation between Israel and Hamas.

Meanwhile, the Qatari ambassador in Gaza, Mohammed al-Amadi, announced at a press conference Tuesday that his country is investing $254 million in rehabilitating Gaza, the most significant investment in Gaza since Operation Cast Lead nearly four years ago.

The work is due to begin in three months.

According to Amadi, Israel and Egypt have agreed to cooperate by letting building materials and heavy equipment in overland.

Tunnel trade

In recent months, building materials have been entering Gaza with little interference via the smuggling tunnels under the Gaza-Egyptian border.

The first Qatar-planned project is to be a highway along the Gaza coast. Economists say the project, to be handled by local contractors, will create thousands of jobs for construction workers and service providers. Qatar also plans to build housing, a hospital and the infrastructure for a new city.

Asked if Qatar feared that these projects would be destroyed in a future war, Amadi said, "Human life is more precious than bricks and steel. I don't think these are targets that Israel would hit in the future. This is what we're hoping. These projects are not for Hamas, but for the people of Gaza."

Hamas welcomed the announcement, saying the project proves that Gaza is emerging from its isolation.