The U.S. government's Agency for International Development has given the Hamas-controlled village of Bani Suheila $392,000 for road projects, according to Middle East Newsline. It quoted the mayor of the town, where Hamas won 12 out of 13 seats in recent local elections, as saying he expects more projects for funding.
On the other hand, the House of Representatives passed a resolution by a 397-17 vote on Friday, warning the Palestinian Authority (PA) that it could face a cut in aid if it does not require Hamas and other terrorist organizations to disarm. The resolution urged the PA not to allow a still-armed Hamas terror organization to run in next month's election, saying that Hamas participation could undermine the ability of the United States to provide assistance.
The European Union, the biggest donor to the Palestinian Authority, also says it might curb aid to the PA - if Hamas wins the election next month. EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana told reporters in Tel Aviv, "It is very difficult that parties that do not condemn violence ... without changing those positions can be partners for the future," Solana said.
PA officials responded by saying that neither the EU nor the U.S. should intervene in internal Palestinian Authority affairs.
Last May, David Satterfield, number two man in the State Department's Near Eastern Affairs bureau, declared that the Bush administration "will neither recognize nor engage with" Hamas or Hizbullah members who are elected to office and do not disarm.
FBI director Robert Mueller told told a Senate committee earlier this year, "We are committed to cutting off the flow of funds from the United States to Palestinian terrorist organizations."
The State Department's policy on Hamas participation in the elections has been less firm than that expressed by the House of Representatives. State Department officials have said they are not happy with Hamas taking part in the January 26th election, but that the matter is an internal PA issue.
Officials have consistently side-stepped reporters' questions as to whether the U.S. will cut back funds to the PA if Hamas wins enough seats to become part of a coalition government. State Department spokesman McCormack said on Friday, "Well, let's, you know, first of all, let's let the elections take place...."
Meanwhile, Hamas is supplying other Arab terrorists with improved missiles, according to Middle East Newsline. It quoted military sources saying the weapons have been delivered to terrorist gangs affiliated with the ruling Fatah party, as well as to the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization.
"Formally, Hamas has pledged to honor a ceasefire arranged by the Palestinian Authority," Newsline quoted a military source. "So, rather than fire the Kassams themselves, they give them to their terrorist allies."
The Hamas terrorist organization began in the 1980s as a Moslem fundamentalist alternative to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) headed by Yasser Arafat. It was based on social welfare programs and terrorism, and uses drug trafficking and car thefts as a source of funds.
On the other hand, the House of Representatives passed a resolution by a 397-17 vote on Friday, warning the Palestinian Authority (PA) that it could face a cut in aid if it does not require Hamas and other terrorist organizations to disarm. The resolution urged the PA not to allow a still-armed Hamas terror organization to run in next month's election, saying that Hamas participation could undermine the ability of the United States to provide assistance.
The European Union, the biggest donor to the Palestinian Authority, also says it might curb aid to the PA - if Hamas wins the election next month. EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana told reporters in Tel Aviv, "It is very difficult that parties that do not condemn violence ... without changing those positions can be partners for the future," Solana said.
PA officials responded by saying that neither the EU nor the U.S. should intervene in internal Palestinian Authority affairs.
Last May, David Satterfield, number two man in the State Department's Near Eastern Affairs bureau, declared that the Bush administration "will neither recognize nor engage with" Hamas or Hizbullah members who are elected to office and do not disarm.
FBI director Robert Mueller told told a Senate committee earlier this year, "We are committed to cutting off the flow of funds from the United States to Palestinian terrorist organizations."
The State Department's policy on Hamas participation in the elections has been less firm than that expressed by the House of Representatives. State Department officials have said they are not happy with Hamas taking part in the January 26th election, but that the matter is an internal PA issue.
Officials have consistently side-stepped reporters' questions as to whether the U.S. will cut back funds to the PA if Hamas wins enough seats to become part of a coalition government. State Department spokesman McCormack said on Friday, "Well, let's, you know, first of all, let's let the elections take place...."
Meanwhile, Hamas is supplying other Arab terrorists with improved missiles, according to Middle East Newsline. It quoted military sources saying the weapons have been delivered to terrorist gangs affiliated with the ruling Fatah party, as well as to the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization.
"Formally, Hamas has pledged to honor a ceasefire arranged by the Palestinian Authority," Newsline quoted a military source. "So, rather than fire the Kassams themselves, they give them to their terrorist allies."
The Hamas terrorist organization began in the 1980s as a Moslem fundamentalist alternative to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) headed by Yasser Arafat. It was based on social welfare programs and terrorism, and uses drug trafficking and car thefts as a source of funds.