Israeli sources on Wednesday stated that despite its apprehension to transfer funds to a Hamas-led government, Israel did not oppose humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.
The same source said, following a meeting of Israel's senior officials, that a distinction was made between a Hamas-led government and the Palestinian public.
"The idea is not to punish the Palestinian people because of the people they elected," one official said, according to the Jerusalem Post.
Others have implied, however, that Israel will attempt to convince Palestinians to rethink their support of Hamas if it results in further hardships for them.
Meanwhile, Israel's Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz is set to meet on Monday to discuss the upcoming swearing-in of Hamas to the Palestinian parliament on Saturday.
The recommendations, which are expected to fall short of cutting off contacts with the PA, will then be presented to acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
