Hamas flexes muscles before meeting of donors

Middle East:In anticipation of today's meeting of donor countries in Paris, Hamas demonstrated its strength in the Gaza Strip on Saturday by staging a rally of at least 200,000 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the movement's founding.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said it would not sacrifice its principles to heal the rift with Fatah or end sanctions which have left 50 per cent of Gaza's labour force unemployed and plunged 75 per cent of the Strip's 1.5 million people into poverty. He condemned the renewal of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority and castigated Israel for attacks on Gaza and the West Bank which have killed 50 Palestinians since the US-sponsored talks began in November and for expanding settlements.

The Fatah-dominated Authority, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, is seeking $7.1 billion (€4.9 billion) in aid, $1.6 billion for rebuilding the devastated Palestinian economy and $5.5 billion for budgetary support and development. Although the International Monetary Fund said that the Authority is capable of achieving its objectives of double-digit growth and rapid development, key international organisations have warned that this will not happen unless Israel changes policy.

The World Bank called upon Israel to ease crippling restrictions on Palestinian freedom of movement and trade. The Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip since Hamas seized control in June prompted the international committee of the Red Cross to issue a report stating: "The measures imposed by Israel come at an enormous humanitarian cost, leaving the people living under occupation with just enough to survive but not enough to live a normal and dignified life."

Oxfam said millions of dollars in financial assistance had been lost due to Israeli policies.