GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The Hamas movement agreed to hold local elections in the Gaza Strip for the first time since its takeover in 2007. The Palestinian government, headed by Rami Hamdallah, issued a decree June 21 to organize the elections on Oct. 8 in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

The elections will be held in 416 local bodies at once; 25 are located in Gaza and the other 391, which include 275 village councils, in the West Bank.

In this context, Hamas issued a press statement July 15, saying, “Hamas is keen to fix the Palestinian situation, consolidate the principle of partnership and assume national responsibility in this delicate phase and this national cause that our people are going through. Therefore, the movement believes it is essential to hold local elections and renew the bodies in the West Bank and Gaza based on the free will of the people, i.e., through the ballot box that leads to the development and improvement of the services provided to the Palestinian people.”

The statement continued, “The movement will work to facilitate the conduct of the elections and ensure their success in a bid to serve the interests of our people and our cause all the while guaranteeing fairness, equal opportunities and respect for the results of these elections.”