JERUSALEM — Hamas derided the United States and Israel today following reports they were exploring ways to topple the militants' incoming government unless they renounce their violent ideology.

Israeli security officials said they were looking at ways to force Hamas from power, and were focusing on an economic squeeze that would prompt Palestinians to clamor for the return of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas' ousted Fatah Party. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter with the media.

A Foreign Ministry official said Israel was threatening to dry up funding and isolate the Palestinians internationally in an effort to keep Hamas, which is committed to Israel's destruction, from taking power. The official would not address the issue of regime change, but ministry spokesman Mark Regev said "there was no such plan."

The New York Times, citing anonymous U.S. and Israeli officials, reported today that the United States and Israel were considering a campaign to starve the Palestinian Authority of cash so Palestinians would grow disillusioned with Hamas and bring down a Hamas government.

The reports about U.S. and Israeli interest in undoing the results of Jan. 25 Palestinian elections came a day after the outgoing Fatah parliament empowered Abbas to set up a sympathetic court that would be able to veto Hamas legislation unchallenged. Abbas also took back control of state-run Palestine TV and radio, denying Hamas yet another tool of power.

LAHORE, Pakistan — Thousands of protesters rampaged through two Pakistani cities today, storming into a diplomatic district and setting fire to Western businesses and a provincial assembly building in the country's worst wave of violence against the Prophet Mohammad cartoons, officials said. At least two people were killed and 11 injured.Security forces fired into the air as they struggled to contain the unrest in the eastern city of Lahore, where protesters burned down four buildings housing a hotel, two banks, a KFC restaurant and the office of a Norwegian cell phone company.

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Saddam Hussein told the court during the latest session of his trial today that he was on hunger strike to protest tough stances by the chief judge.The former Iraqi leader shouted his support for Iraqi insurgents, yelling "Long live the mujahedeen," as he entered the courtroom and immediately began a heated exchange with judge Raouf Abdel-Rahman."For three days we have been holding a hunger strike protesting against your way in treating us — against you and your masters," Saddam told Abdel-Rahman.In Monday's session, Abdel-Rahman ordered the eight defendants to attend the court despite a boycott by their original defense team.When Abdel-Rahman banged his gavel and rebuked him for not standing when he addressed the court, Saddam retorted: "Hit your own head with that gavel."One of the co-defendants, Awad Hamed al-Bandar, also said he was not eating. Saddam did not mention a hunger strike in Monday's session.Saddam's half-brother and co-defendant Barzan Ibrahim entered the court today shouting "Long live the Baath," referring to Saddam's former ruling party. For the second straight day, the former head of Saddam's intelligence service wore a long-sleeved undershirt and long underwear to show his rejection of the court.