Efforts to find ways to channel aid to the Palestinians without benefiting Hamas are still underway, Middle East envoy Paul Wolfensohn said Monday, DPA reported. "Cutting off aid to the Palestinians would lead to a humanitarian disaster," the former World Bank president told reporters at a joint news conference with Swedish Foreign Minister Laila Freivalds and International Development Cooperation Minister Carin Jamtin. Wolfensohn and the Swedish cabinet members discussed ways of improving the humanitarian situation, including "alternative" aid channels, pending a change of stance by Hamas slated to form the next Palestinian government. Wolfensohn is envoy of the so-called quartet of peace makers - consisting of the United Nations, the European Union, the United States and Russia - which is working for a solution to the conflict. Last month, the EU agreed to send 120 million euros (144 million dollars) in emergency aid to the caretaker Palestinian government for utility bills, health and education and government salaries.
