U.S., allies will continue direct aid to Palestinian projects while continuing to shun Hamas-led gov

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WASHINGTON: The U.S. and its three partners in the flagging Middle East peace process agreed to continue providing humanitarian assistance directly to Palestinian projects, bypassing the Hamas-run government.

The deal does not affect the ongoing halt by the U.S. and others on aid to the Palestinian Authority, which is run by the militant group.

In a statement Friday, the so-called Quartet — the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and Russia — said the Palestinian people are in need and encouraged donors to respond to U.N. and other requests for aid.

Since Hamas' election victory in January, the U.S. and its partners have provided direct assistance to various Palestinian programs, but have avoided sending money directly to the cash-starved Hamas-run government. The humanitarian aid, delivered largely by private organizations, has totaled about $450 million (€341 million) in U.S. contributions alone in the past year.

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