US Secretary of State John Kerry has announced an aid package of $212 million (around €168 million) for Gaza following the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The announcement was made at a conference in Egypt, where diplomats are meeting to discuss the aid required to rebuild Gaza.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan is one the leaders attending the major international conference, with attendees discussing the best way to bring peace to the region and rebuild after the recent conflict.

The Irish Government has pledged another €2.5 million in aid to the Palestinian people - bringing our total contribution so far this year to €10 million.

The Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has told the conference that over three billion euro is needed to rebuild Gaza.

Minister Flanagan admits the humanitarian situation in the country is still 'dire', but he deny's our contribution is simply a drop in the ocean:

The Minister insists diplomatic relations must be maintained with both sides and says there must be a two-state solution in the long term to achieve a lasting peace between Israel and Palestine:

Originally posted at 7:45am