DHAKA: The US has pledged $212 million in new aid to help rebuild Gaza at a donor conference in Cairo.

The Palestinian government is appealing for a total $4bn to rebuild Gaza after the 50-day conflict between Israel and Hamas.

At least 100,000 Gazans lost their homes in the war and much of the territory’s infrastructure was damaged.

Earlier the Palestinian and Egyptian presidents called on Israel to commit to a long-term peace initiative.

They urged Israel to give up land seized in the 1967 war and accept a fair solution for Palestinian refugees in exchange for full recognition.

The seven-week conflict, which ended in a truce on 26 August, killed more than 2,100 Palestinians, most of them civilians, along with 66 Israeli soldiers and seven civilians in Israel, reports the BBC.

BDST: 1653 HRS, OCT 12, 2014