GAZA, Aug. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- Minister of Public Works and Housing Mohammed Ishtiya said on Sunday that the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) intends to turn the Gaza Strip into a province after an Israeli pullout.

   Ishtiya said the future of the Gaza Strip will be similar to the Egyptian capital Cairo, and the population will reach 24,000 per km square, the highest in the world.

   He said the ministry will work on linking the areas that will be evacuated and rehabilitating infrastructure of the industrial zone of Erez in northern Gaza Strip bordering Israel.

   The PNA expects to establish new residential blocs along the Salah el-Dein road that extends from Erez crossing to the borderline with Egypt, added Ishtiya.

   The strip has been divided into five provinces, namely northern Gaza Strip governorate, central Gaza Strip, Gaza City governorate, Khan Yunis governorate and Rafah governorate.

   Gaza, a narrow sandy coastal territory of about 45 km in length and 10 km in width, was captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East War. Israel is now withdrawing all the 21 settlements in the strip, where 1.4 million Palestinians live.

   The operation is expected to be completed by Tuesday. Enditem