Egyptian convoy of 50 vehicles bringing reconstruction materials arrives in Gaza

At least 3,000 homes in the Palestinian enclave were destroyed or damaged beyond repair during the 11-day conflict with Israel

Egyptian workers pose on the shovel of a bulldozer provided by their country, after crossing into Palestinian enclave the Gaza Strip. AFP

Egyptian workers celebrate after crossing over to Gaza at Rafah border post to help rebuild the enclave following Israeli air strikes. AFP

A convoy of around 50 construction vehicles flying the Egyptian flag crossed over to Gaza at Rafah. AFP

An excavator provided by Egypt arrives on a trailer at Rafah. The convoy also brought engineers. AFP

More than 250 people, mostly civilians, were killed in Israeli bombardments on Gaza in the 11-day conflict in May. Rockets fired from Gaza killed 13 people in Israel. Reuters

A woman watches as an Egyptian crew celebrates arriving in Gaza. At least 3,000 homes were destroyed or damaged beyond repair, authorities said. Reuters

A man carrying a boy watches the convoy arrive in southern Gaza. Another 17,000 homes were damaged in the air strikes. Reuters

Palestinian women and girls pose near an Egyptian crane arriving in Gaza. Rebuilding work in the enclave will cost an estimated $150 billion. AFP

Egypt has sent a convoy of engineers and building equipment to Gaza to begin reconstruction in the enclave following the recent Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Egyptian state television reported on Friday.

Dozens of bulldozers, cranes and trucks flying Egyptian flags lined up along the border to begin crossing into the Gaza Strip, television pictures showed.

Palestinians lined the street on the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing to welcome the convoy as it rumbled into the coastal enclave. A Palestinian border official said 50 vehicles had crossed.

"We rushed with all our money, equipment and what we owned to join the Palestinians in the rebuilding. Every Muslim and every Egyptian wishes to take part in [the reconstruction]," Egyptian truck driver Mahmoud Ismail told Reuters in Gaza.

Eleven days of conflict between Israel and Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza, erupted on May 10.

More than 250 Palestinians were killed in hundreds of Israeli air strikes in Gaza. Rockets fired by Gaza militants killed 13 people in Israel.

Egypt played a major role in brokering a ceasefire and has said it will allocate $500 million to fund the rebuilding of devastated areas in Gaza.

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem on Friday reiterated the group's appreciation of Egyptian contributions to the rebuilding efforts.

Gaza’s housing ministry said 1,500 housing units were destroyed during the fighting, another 1,500 housing units had been damaged beyond repair and 17,000 suffered partial damage. A ministry official put the cost of rebuilding at $150 million.

Egypt in February opened the Rafah crossing,until further notice after Palestinian factions moved towards reconciliation following talks in Cairo.

It had previously been opening the crossing for only a few days at a time to allow stranded travellers to pass.

The 365-square-kilometre Gaza Strip, is home to around two million Palestinians.

An Israeli blockade has put restrictions on the movement of people and goods for years.