GAZA CITY, Palestine

Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney arrived in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday to follow up the implementation of Irish projects in the blockaded Palestinian territory.

The top Irish diplomat crossed the Beit Hanoun (Erez) terminal into Gaza "to follow up projects being funded by Ireland", the Palestinian crossings authority said in a statement.

Ireland is funding water desalination and solar energy projects in Gaza.

Israel has imposed a crippling blockade on the Gaza Strip in 2007 after Palestinian group Hamas seized control of the strip from its rival group Fatah, badly affecting livelihood in the coastal enclave. 

*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara