Qatar's Emir Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani urged Palestinians on Tuesday to end their internal division and open a new chapter based on unity.

"The Palestinians should think of their reality and realize that their split is a source of harm to their cause and the Arabic cause," al-Thani said, referring to the political split between Hamas and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party, which has been deepened since Hamas wrested control of Gaza by force in 2007.

The Emir made the remarks after he arrived in Gaza in a landmark visit which is the first of its kind by a head of state since 2007.

In February, Qatar brokered a deal between Hamas and Fatah to reconcile and form a transitional government, but both sides fail to implement the deal. Abbas said he can not form an interim government before Hamas allows Central Elections Commission (CEC) to operate in Gaza.

Al-Thani added that the split between the Palestinians "was more painful than the Israeli aggression," calling for making peace in the region.

Also, the landmark visit aimed at inaugurating rebuilding projects in Gaza that Qatar funds, including rehabilitating Gaza's main roads, building a housing complex of 1,000 units, opening a prosthetic center and other agricultural and infrastructure projects.

During the visit, the Emir was also rewarded an honorary doctorate by the Islamic University in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.