RAMALLAH, West Bank — Hamas has tentatively agreed to some compromises regarding elections in the Palestinian territories, though it has a series of demands it believes are essential for the process to be successful.

Hamas announced it approves of holding presidential and legislative elections in the West Bank, Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. The movement's political bureau head, Ismail Haniyeh, delivered the news at a press conference following an Oct. 28 meeting in Gaza of Hamas, other Palestinian factions and a Central Elections Commission delegation.

Hamas’ decision shows flexibility, as it agrees to hold legislative elections first, then presidential ones. Hamas and some other Palestinian factions previously rejected this idea and called for holding the elections simultaneously, along with the Palestinian National Council elections.

Hamas also is amenable, unlike before, to Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas determining election dates, even before a national meeting is held that would include Palestinian factions to discuss technical details and procedural and legal measures. That meeting is also likely to focus on the demands Haniyeh announced Nov. 10.