In a fragile and conflict-ridden context such as the Gaza Strip, where the de facto Hamas government faces isolation and lacks international recognition, the provision of aid and development schemes challenges donors and CSOs delivering services to Palestinians. This volume examines how international donors influenced the reconstruction and recovery policy agenda as well as its implementation. Moreover, as a result of the no-contact policy, recovery and reconstruction schemes were delivered with limited involvement from the de facto Hamas government, raising questions about the efficacy of the ¿governance without government¿ concept. This book examines the dynamics and the impact of international donors¿ financing of Civil Society Organizations that were involved in the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. It expands on the existing analysis of transnational aid actors¿ influence found in the public policy literature while contributing to our understanding of the concrete, and more specific, impact of international donors¿ financing on the livelihoods of the Palestinian people.

1 CSOs and Social Service Provision.- 2 Relevant Political Developments in Palestine and Governance under Hamas.- 3 International Aid, Civil Society Engagement, and the State Building Project in the Fragile Context of Palestine.- 4 International Donors and Local CSOs in Gaza: 2007-2013.-  5 The Hamas Government Involvement in Early Recovery and Reconstruction Schemes under the No-contact Policy .-  6 CSOs Engagement with International Donors and the Hamas Government to Plan and Implement Recovery and Reconstruction Schemes.- 7 International Donors' Approaches to Respond to Early Recovery and Reconstruction Needs under the No-contact Policy.-  8 Summary and Discussion.