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Hamas wins big in Gaza elections

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Monday, January 31, 2005

GAZA CITY – The Islamic opposition has won a major victory in municipal elections in the Gaza Strip.

In the first demonstration of popular support, Hamas swept seven out of 10 elections in the Gaza Strip held last week. Palestinian sources said Hamas won 78 of out of 118 seats contested in Gaza municipalities.

The ruling Fatah movement headed by Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas won 38 out of 118 seats, the sources said. They said Abbas's defeat was the result of an intense Hamas campaign to get out the vote for the Jan. 27 municipal elections, in contrast to the poor turnout for the elections for PA chairman on Jan. 9.

"Our people have a consensus on the choice of jihad and resistance, and the election has underscored that concept," Hamas spokesman Muhir Masri said.

The sources said the Hamas victory could undermine Abbas's plan to end insurgency attacks against Israel and confiscate illegal weapons. Hamas and Islamic Jihad have rejected the confiscation of their weapons although they have not openly challenged PA security forces.

On Saturday, Palestinian sources said that Abbas will meet Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon during the second week in February. Following the meeting, Israel would transfer security control of parts of the West Bank to the PA, the official said.

Earlier, Israel announced that it was ending all offensive operations in the Gaza Strip after 2,000 Palestinian security forces were deployed in the southern Gaza Strip.


Copyright © 2005 East West Services, Inc.

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