Hamas government back in business amid bomb rubble

HAMAS government in Gaza was back in business yesterday, operating from makeshift offices because most administrative buildings were bombed.

The Palestinian militant group was preparing for new talks with Egypt on consolidating the week-long ceasefire with Israel.

The group said it would be distributing €40 million in aid to people affected by Israel’s three-week offensive against Hamas that devastated Gaza. The cash compensations for lost relatives or damaged homes would come from its own funds, Hamas said, until relief pledged by international donors can come in. Hamas receives millions in funding from Iran and donations from supporters around the world, believed to be smuggled into the blockaded territory through tunnels.