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GAZA CITY, Mar 20 (AP): The incoming Palestinian prime minister presented a Hamas government likely to trigger painful economic sanctions, just as a solution appeared possible for a Gaza border crossing crisis that has caused shortages of vital food products.
On Sunday evening, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, the premier-designate, presented Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas with a 24-member Cabinet made up of Hamas activists and professionals, including one woman and one Christian.
On Monday, negotiators are to work out the details of opening at least one crossing to get humanitarian aid into Gaza. Tentative agreement was reached Sunday at a meeting called by the United States to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Despite contacts that started shortly after Hamas swept to victory in January 25 parliamentary elections, the militant Islamic group was unable to persuade any other faction to join, because Hamas was not prepared to compromise on its basic principles - the right to violent resistance against Israel and refusal to accept the Jewish state.
The group's failure to bring moderate forces into its government is likely to strengthen Western resolve to cut off desperately needed aid.
The list includes Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar as the new foreign minister, one woman and one Christian. Gaza Hamas leader Said Siam will be the interior minister, in charge of some of the security forces.
Abbas said he would submit the list to the PLO executive committee and then to the parliament if it approves. PLO approval is expected to take several days.
Haniyeh was optimistic his Cabinet would win approval. "I can say that the indications are positive toward constitutional stability on the Palestinian platform," he said.
Abbas, who favors negotiating a final peace settlement with Israel, has urged Hamas to moderate its violent ideology but likely will approve the Cabinet, his aides say. He will, however, warn Hamas that its refusal to soften its positions could hurt the Palestinians' international standing.
Abbas was elected separately last year to a four-year term and wields considerable authority. He cannot impose his own Cabinet lineup on Hamas, however, because it controls an absolute majority in the legislature.
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