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 (36.5 million dollars) 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 Isreal

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."

(Xinhua News Agency January 24, 2009)