WASHINGTON - The United States does not expect a change in the position of the Quartet toward Hamas, a senior State Department official said Wednesday in light of reports of a Russian intention to raise current policy for debate in the Quartet meeting in Washington on Thursday.

A source in the State Department says there is consensus between the U.S. and the Europeans on policy.

The Americans say events of the past week in Gaza have only proved to the Palestinians that the Hamas government cannot provide them with the security they need. "Hamas is trying to shake off responsibility and give it to the international community," a source in the State Department said, "but it's their responsibility."

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The American noted that in Gaza, where Hamas' control is ostensibly stronger [than in the West Bank], Hamas is unable "to deliver the Palestinians what they expect."

Officials in Washington have said in recent weeks that the instability in the Palestinian Authority might cause a decline in the Palestinians' faith in and support of Hamas.