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Waiting in Gaza

[Reuters] Nidal al-Mughrabi - Gazans were relieved when Israel and Hamas declared separate ceasefires in January, but relief is still mixed with doubt and unease a month later. People who lost their houses remain homeless, living with friends, with relatives and in rental apartments. Their hopes to rebuild seem remote following news of a setback in efforts to reach a long-term truce between Israel and Hamas. In daylight those people visit tents they established on the rubble of what were once their houses in order to receive foreign visitors who promise aid. Bulldozers have cleared streets in areas where the Israeli army operated in January but the rubble of houses, offices and Hamas security headquarters remained unremoved. International donors will discuss funding at Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt next week. International envoys have urged Hamas and Fatah to reunite in order for the donors to find an official recognized party to deal with over Gaza reconstruction plans. But for aid to come and construction materials to be allowed in, efforts by Egypt need to reconcile Hamas with both Fatah and Israel. Will Abbas and Hamas be able to form a unity government that Israel, the U.S. and the West would agree to cooperate with and support? On Monday Abbas said Hamas needed to respect existing peace deals with Israel to be a partner in a unity government with Fatah.
2009-02-25 06:00:00
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