Hamas’ New Government in the Works
A Hamas leader said Saturday that the Islamic militant group hoped to form a Palestinian government this month after agreeing with President Mahmoud Abbas to convene parliament Feb. 16.
“We are starting the process and we are sure that within February we will be able to see a new government,” Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar said after his first meeting with Abbas since Hamas won the Jan. 25 election.
Abbas, who has said he cannot ask a party to form a Cabinet until parliament convenes, did not formally do so Saturday.
But Abbas’ spokesman, Nabil abu Rudaineh, confirmed that Hamas, having won 74 seats in the 132-member legislature and defeated the long-dominant Fatah movement, would be chosen to head a new government.
Zahar said Hamas had asked Abbas’ Fatah party to join in a government, but it had not yet given a response.
Early today, Israeli aircraft fired three missiles at a building used by militants in Gaza City, killing three people and wounding five, Palestinian hospital officials said.
The three killed were senior field operatives of Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the hospital said.
The Israeli military said the strike was meant to deter rocket attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip.
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