GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The Palestinian Authority announced Jan. 31 that local council elections will be held on May 13 in all Palestinian territories — the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem — in coordination with President Mahmoud Abbas.
However, Hamas said it will not take part in the process, as it believes it will deepen the internal division. The movement sees the step as an extension of a process that already failed when elections were canceled back in September.