Gaza City, Gaza Strip – Egyptian mediators have warned Hamas that Palestinian parliamentary elections set for Jan. 25 could be postponed if the Islamic militants don’t abide by a truce, including a promise to keep their weapons at home, an official close to the talks said Thursday.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon next week, ahead of talks with President Bush in Washington on Oct. 20, and is expected to push for an army withdrawal from more West Bank towns. Israel has said it can move forward only if Abbas reins in militants.
Hamas, popular with voters and eager to claim a share of power, wants the election held on time.
Egypt delivered the warning after deadly weekend fighting between Hamas and Palestinian police, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Egypt is increasingly influential in chaotic Gaza, with the Palestinian Authority and armed groups seeking its backing and goodwill.
In a statement Thursday, Hamas did not refer to Egypt by name. The group alleged it was the target of a conspiracy aimed at “preventing us from participating in political life, either by obstructing the legislative election or by imposing conditions for holding the election.”
Over the weekend, three Palestinians, including a policeman, were killed in Hamas clashes with police. A group of Palestinian factions has held Hamas responsible for the violence.
As part of an Egyptian-brokered truce in February, the armed groups agreed to stop displaying weapons in public, and the Palestinian Authority has recently begun enforcing the ban. Police in Gaza City have set up roadblocks, checking cars and confiscating weapons.
Abbas is also worried about the growing strength of his main political rival, but it remains unclear whether he would seek to postpone the vote if it becomes apparent Hamas could defeat his corruption-tainted Fatah movement.
