The emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani laid the foundation stone of Hamad Residential Town in Gaza Strip during a ceremony attended by Prime Minister of the Palestinian government Ismail Haniyeh. The ceremony was also attended by Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al-Thani and members of the delegation accompanying the Emir. Amal Mohamed Haniyeh, wife of Haniyeh, a number of ministers and officials in Gaza and members of the Legislative Council also attended. The ceremony started with a recitation from the holy Qur\'an followed by a speech by the Minister of Public Works in the defunct Palestinian government Dr. Youssuf Abul Ghareez in which he welcomed the visit of the emir of Qatar and his wife.