More than three weeks of Israeli military offensive against the Gaza Strip have caused severe humanitarian crisis and extensive infrastructure damage. Now with a ceasefire in place, the Palestinians and the international community are concentrating on the enclave's reconstruction.

Initial statistics from the Palestinian side put the damage at a hefty US$2 billion. Moreover, given the rifts inside the Palestinian state, friction among the Arab world and Israel's intention to deter a Hamas comeback, analysts believe the reconstruction process will be no easy job for all the parties involved as well as the international community.

No agreed financial support from Arab world

At the recent first Arab economic summit, Arab leaders unanimously called for continuing financial and technical support for rebuilding the besieged Gaza. However, the final declaration stopped short of mentioning a highly-expected Arab fund worth of US$2 billion for the reconstruction process, disappointing Saudi Arabia, the only country which contributed 1 billion dollars to the fund.

Arab countries have been mired in deep rifts over how to address the Gaza crisis, with some nations calling for tough actions while others opting for a more moderate approach. A divided Arab world cannot speak with one voice, much less take concerted action to assist the Gaza reconstruction.

During a closed-door session on the sidelines of the summit, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari lamented that Arab foreign ministers were "regrettably" unable to reach a common stance due to "the uncompromising stances taken by some countries."

Factional contention inside Palestine

Analysts said that even if the international community is ready to help, who should be the recipient of this assistance will be a tricky problem.

In principle, the Palestinian National Authority, dominated by President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement, is the universally acknowledged government in the land and should be the recipient of the assistance. However, there is widespread worry that the Abbas government, which rules only the West Bank and has deep disputes with Hamas, can hardly ensure the fund would be put immediately to Gaza's reconstruction.

The authority was also criticized for its weak response to Israeli offensive, which has let down the Palestinians and the Arab world at large, local media reported.

Meanwhile, Hamas has expressed its strong determination to dominate the reconstruction process.

Fatahy Hamad, a senior Hamas lawmaker, urged non-governmental organizations not to deliver humanitarian aid to the Palestinian National Authority.

"There are two confronting voices in Palestine and I think only if the Fatah chooses the means of Jihad (holy war) and resistance, can we finally realize reconciliation," Hamad said in a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua.

Hamas has also offered to deliver a total of 28.6 million euros (US$36.5 million) in relief fund for victims of the Israeli attacks, a move reportedly aimed at winning local residents' support.

However, it seems unlikely that the international community will cooperate with Hamas, which is termed a terrorist organization by the United States and Israel, analysts said.

Assistance and reconstruction unease Israle

The handling of the international assistance as well as the reconstruction has also posed a tough challenge to Israel. The Jewish country is trying by all means to block capital flow into Gaza and keeping a tight grip over the enclave to thwart any possible Hamas involvement in the reconstruction process.

While meeting with visiting UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon ahead of Ban's visit to Gaza earlier this week, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Hamas should be sidelined from any legitimacy in the reconstruction process.

The reconstruction efforts must be coordinated by the United Nations along with international organizations, and with the active cooperation of Egypt, the Palestinian National Authority and pragmatic countries, Olmert said.

Analysts noted, however, that Israel does not have full trust on Abbas government either. The Israeli government turned down the latter's request for remittance to its employees in Gaza section right after the ceasefire, fearing that financial support for reconstruction might end up in Hamas' hands.

Israel has also been highly alert to materials such as cement and steel, as they may be used for military purpose by Hamas.

Analysts worry about how long the temporary peace could last when Gaza reconstruction is unfolding in full swing.

As European Union High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana said, "the ceasefire is still fragile and every effort must be made to ensure that it is solid, durable and lasting."