Second phase of Egypt-funded Gaza reconstruction starts up

The second phase of an Egypt-funded reconstruction plan has begun in the besieged Gaza Strip, an Egyptian official, said on Monday night. 

Six key projects will take place as part of the phase, Egyptian reconstruction committee head Ibrahim Al-Shuniqi said during the launch ceremony.

"The projects will include building the corniche in the north of the strip and three residential towers," the Egyptian official said. 

Egypt has been criticised for participating in a siege - along with Israel - on Hamas-run Gaza, by frequently closing the Rafah border crossing - a critical lifeline for food, aid, and building materials into the Palestinian enclave.

The siege has seen Gaza become "an open-air prison" due to the suffocating conditions Palestinians in the territory have found themselves in, with hospitals lacking essential medicines, human rights groups have said.

Two bridges will be built in Gaza city - one in the east and one in the centre - to relieve traffic congestion in the two areas. 

All the infrastructure will be built using materials sent from Egypt to Gaza via the Rafah Crossing, Al-Shuniqi added.

The Rafah border crossing is only periodically opened by Egyptian authorities, often depending on political conditions.

Egypt and Qatar pledged to help rebuild Gaza after Israeli jets pounded the enclave for 11 days in May.

The campaign saw high rises flattened and homes destroyed in the assault.

Egypt pledged $500 million to rebuild residential buildings and construct other community projects, while Doha also offered an aid package of $500 million for the reconstruction process. 

The first phase of reconstruction began in September.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi discussed reconstruction in Gaza with Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid in Cairo last week.