Inside the Engineer Company for Concrete, one can clearly see the destruction caused by the recent Israel Defense Forces (IDF) operation in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

The production facilities were heavily damaged and unable to function normally, some houses were brought down by bulldozers, and there were just few staff members in the company, which is one of the biggest concrete companies in the Palestinian coastal enclave.

"The Israeli army has destroyed almost everything here. We lost about US$1 million in the operation," Mohamad Abu Warda, a staff member of the company, told Xinhua on Tuesday.

According to Warda, on January 15, the IDF destroyed the company, which is very close to Gaza City.

"We hope we can rebuild the company soon, but it is very difficult," said the 45-year-old man, adding that it may take several months for the company to rebuild itself.

Warda said that the first problem for his company is to get enough cash, which is essential for any reconstruction efforts.

"We need the help of some international organizations," said the white-haired staff member, adding that his company also hopes to get some donations from Arab countries.

The second problem for the company is to get the material needed for the reconstruction, which is by no means a piece of cake.

"Due to the Israeli blockade on Gaza Strip, it is difficult to get the stuff we need even if we have raised the money," Warda explained.

After Hamas, which Israel blacklists as a terror organization, took control of the Palestinian territory in 2007, the Jewish state has further tightened its siege on Gaza.

Like Warda, many people in Gaza, which is in desperate need of cash and reconstruction materials, face the same touchy problems in their efforts to rebuild.

During the 22-day-long operation, dubbed Cast Lead, several thousand houses were completely destroyed and more than 10,000 houses were partially damaged.

The operation, which finally came to a close on January 17, killed more than 1,400 Palestinians and wounding about 5,500 others. On the Israeli side, 13 people were killed since the operation began on December 27.

On January 18, both Israel and Hamas began a ceasefire in Gaza, which is indispensable to the reconstruction of the war-torn Palestinian territory.

"I hope there is a lasting ceasefire and there must be a ceasefire. Without a truce, reconstruction will be nothing but windbaggary," said Warda, noting that this is the most important element for Gazans.

Though expressing his worry about the prospect of the fragile ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, Warda said he must cherish the hope that there will be an endurable truce.

"It is like a person who must grip tightly even a straw in order not to get drowned in the sea," said Warda with a forced smile.

"We are people looking for peace and good life, we do not want more fighting which brings catastrophe to us," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency January 28, 2009)