UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday that the reconstruction of Gaza Strip needs a durable ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave.

"When it comes to rebuilding Gaza, this foundation must be a durable ceasefire," Ban told an international conference for the reconstruction of Gaza that opened on Monday at the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

"We need to think comprehensively" to discuss the Palestinian economy and Gaza reconstruction, said the UN chief, stressing that the situation in Gaza is still fragile.

It needs the international community to deal with the Palestinian issue "squarely" in face of a number of political realities, said Ban.

The situation at the border crossings of Gaza is "intolerable," said the UN chief.

"Our first and indispensable goal, therefore, is to open (Gaza) crossings" because there is no concrete or steel to rebuild homes in the besieged enclave that was hit hard in recent Israeli attacks, said Ban.

According to UN reports, more than 14,000 homes, 68 government buildings, and 31 offices of nongovernmental organizations were destroyed during the recent Israeli attacks against Gaza that killed more than 1,300 Palestinians and wounded 5,500 others.

Acting Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad has said in an official report that the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) will request US$2.8 billion at Monday's Gaza aid meeting.

Senior officials and representatives from over 70 countries and some 15 international organizations attended the international donors' conference to plan the reconstruction of the Palestinian enclave hit by a 22-day Israeli military operation.