The United Nations has started assessing the damage and relief needs in the Gaza Strip on the first full day of a truce between Israel and Hamas, with the senior officials estimating that the bill could run into billions of dollars.

The United Nations is expected to issue an emergency appeal for fund to meet the immediate humanitarian needs which could run into hundreds of millions of dollars. This would not include the money needed for rebuilding and development.

"The pervasive sense among the population is one of overwhelming grief, so many families have been destroyed in so many ways," the top UN official in Gaza reported.

Replying to questions, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes said that it might not be very clear who actually won this conflict, "if that concept means anything in Gaza.