Kerry: US pledges $212 million in immediate aid to Palestinians for Gaza rebuilding

U. S. Secretary of State John Kerry greets Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sabah Al-Khalid al-Sabah in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, during the Gaza Donor Conference. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, Pool) (The Associated Press)

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry shakes hands with Egypt Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, before a working breakfast during the Gaza Donor Conference. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, Pool) (The Associated Press)

The United States is promising $212 million in immediate assistance to the Palestinians as part of an international effort to rebuild the Gaza Strip after this summer's 50-day war.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says people in Gaza "need our help desperately — not tomorrow, not next week, but they need it now."

He announced the new money at a donor conference for the Palestinians in Cairo.

The Palestinians are seeking $4 billion in international aid.