As pressure around Hamas increases, the group is faced with more difficulties from other Palestinian groups. This same week, U.S. asked that its aid of about $50 million be returned while Israel announced that it will freeze tax returns, put travel restrictions on Hamas officials and that it will prevent Gaza workers and goods from entering the Israeli territory.

Atif Udwan, one of the five Hamas candidates and professor of political science in the Gaza University, stated: "We do not wish to foment the world against the new government nor the West. Up to this point we didn't have an opportunity to show this new face to the West - the real face of Muslims."

In other news, Hamas was invited on Tuesday by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to form the next cabinet after their victory. Hamas, which does not recognize Israel, will have 5 weeks at its disposal in order to select ministers and gain their approval. Ahmed Husein, senior of Rami Balawi, a Fatah brigade member, said: "If it does not recognise Israel, how will we negotiate prisoner release and keep the borders open? And the Israelis won't negotiate without something return. And if Hamas agrees to give that something in return, they'll have gone against the very platform on which they were elected."

Hamas has 74 seats from the 132 in the Parliament, but Ismail Haniyeh, the party's pick for prime minister, wants the participation of other groups.