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| Hamas says it is ready to hold first elections since 2006 | Hamas says it is ready to hold first elections since 2006 |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The Palestinian militant group Hamas says it is ready to dissolve the committee that rules Gaza and hold a general election for the first time since 2006. | The Palestinian militant group Hamas says it is ready to dissolve the committee that rules Gaza and hold a general election for the first time since 2006. |
| It also said it was aiming for more talks with rivals Fatah as it aims to end their decade-long feud. | It also said it was aiming for more talks with rivals Fatah as it aims to end their decade-long feud. |
| Hamas representatives have been meeting senior Egyptian officials in Cairo. | Hamas representatives have been meeting senior Egyptian officials in Cairo. |
| In a cautious initial response, the deputy head of Fatah said the move was "positive and promising". | In a cautious initial response, the deputy head of Fatah said the move was "positive and promising". |
| After deadly clashes in 2007, Fatah was driven out of the Gaza Strip. | After deadly clashes in 2007, Fatah was driven out of the Gaza Strip. |
| Attempts by the two factions to form a unity government in Gaza and the West Bank since then have failed. | Attempts by the two factions to form a unity government in Gaza and the West Bank since then have failed. |
| The Fatah delegation in Egypt is yet to respond, but the party's deputy leader Mahmoud al-Aloul gave a tentative welcome to the news and called for other issues to be resolved, including control of border crossings and social reconciliation. | |
| Hamas won the 2006 election but after the 2007 clashes, President Mahmoud Abbas dismissed the Hamas prime minister. The group continued to rule over Gaza, while Fatah continued to lead the Palestinian Authority in the parts of the West Bank not under Israeli control. | Hamas won the 2006 election but after the 2007 clashes, President Mahmoud Abbas dismissed the Hamas prime minister. The group continued to rule over Gaza, while Fatah continued to lead the Palestinian Authority in the parts of the West Bank not under Israeli control. |
| Associated Press reports that it is not yet clear whether Hamas is ready to place its security forces under Mr Abbas's control - a major sticking point in the past. | Associated Press reports that it is not yet clear whether Hamas is ready to place its security forces under Mr Abbas's control - a major sticking point in the past. |
| A key demand: Analysis by the BBC's Yolande Knell | A key demand: Analysis by the BBC's Yolande Knell |
| It has been a key demand of President Abbas and his Fatah faction that Hamas dissolve the administrative committee that it set up in March. It is seen as a rival government to the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority, based in the West Bank. | It has been a key demand of President Abbas and his Fatah faction that Hamas dissolve the administrative committee that it set up in March. It is seen as a rival government to the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority, based in the West Bank. |
| In recent months amid deepening political divisions Mr Abbas has piled pressure on Hamas, taking some controversial steps such as reducing electricity payments for Gaza. | In recent months amid deepening political divisions Mr Abbas has piled pressure on Hamas, taking some controversial steps such as reducing electricity payments for Gaza. |
| Egypt has long acted as a go-between to try to end the damaging rift between the two main Palestinian factions. | Egypt has long acted as a go-between to try to end the damaging rift between the two main Palestinian factions. |
| Hamas as a whole, or in some cases its military wing, is designated a terrorist group by Israel, the US, EU, UK and other powers. | Hamas as a whole, or in some cases its military wing, is designated a terrorist group by Israel, the US, EU, UK and other powers. |
| Since 2007, Israel and Egypt have maintained a land and sea blockade on Gaza in an attempt to prevent attacks by Gaza-based militants. | Since 2007, Israel and Egypt have maintained a land and sea blockade on Gaza in an attempt to prevent attacks by Gaza-based militants. |