Friday 28 January 2005, 15:46 Makka Time, 12:46 GMT
In the first municipal elections held in the Gaza Strip, Hamas won 76 out of 118 seats (voter turnout was about 80%) and it won seats in seven of the 10 councils, meaning that Mahmud Abbas, the new Palestinian leader, has someone to discuss with about political issues in the country.
Mahmud al-Zahaar, a Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, said, "the change Palestinians look for can only be achieved by running fair and free elections. Palestinians have confidence in the future, which will witness a reform and rebuilding of what has been destroyed by the Israeli occupation."
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Labour Minister, Ghassan al-Khatib, commented, "We have to remember that violence is a result of the conflict, but not a reason for it. If the Israeli occupation continues, the violent conflict will then return."
He was referring to the fact that Abbas is trying to move forward to achieve peace between Israel and Palestine and Sharon should take the same path.
Il Romanaccio at 11:40 AM