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1st LD: Palestinian court orders holding local elections only in West Bank

Xinhua, October 3, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Palestinian Supreme Court ruled on Monday that local elections would be held in the West Bank, but not in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

The government will set a new date for the elections, according to the ruling.

The date of the elections, originally set for Oct. 8, is likely to be at the end of October or early November.

The Islamic Hamas movement rejected the ruling, saying it is "politicized" and will deepen the internal rift.

"The decision reflects the bias against the Gaza Strip," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zohra said.

He added that Hamas will discuss with other Palestinian factions how to counter the decision and its consequences.

The last time Hamas participated in local elections in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank was in 2004-2005.

The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) held local elections in 2013, but Hamas, which was ruling Gaza, did not take part, saying the internal division should be ended before holding elections.

Hamas has been running the Gaza Strip since 2007, after it violently seized control of it following weeks on fighting with forces and groups loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah party.

Efforts have so far failed to end the feuds between the two rivals. Endit