A Palestinian doctor who braved tragedy and favoured reconciliation with Israel despite losing three daughters in a shelling by the Jewish state's army on his house in Gaza has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Ezzeldeen Abu al-Aish received a letter from the Nobel Committee officially declaring him a nominee for the prestigious award. His nomination has been also welcomed by Israel. "I received the news at the end of a meeting with the president of the European parliament while I was visiting Belgium, where I was made an honourary citizen," said the doctor.