Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will ask donor countries for $4 billion (£2.5bn) for Gaza reconstruction at a pledging conference in Cairo on October 12.

Israel’s ruthless assault on the territory this summer killed over 2,100 people, damaged or destroyed tens of thousands of homes and wrecked more than 5,000 businesses.

During the 50-day war, Israel launched several thousand air strikes and unleashed artillery barrages at what it claimed were Hamas-linked targets in Gaza, flattening entire neighbourhoods.

Israeli army chief Lt Gen Benny Gantz said yesterday that it would serve security interests to allow construction materials to enter blockaded Gaza.

He said that Israel can only secure long-term quiet on its border with Gaza if “an economic anchor backs up what was achieved in the fighting.”

Palestinian government officials said that security forces loyal to Mr Abbas would be deployed on the Gaza side of crossings with Israel after Eid al-Adha, which starts today.