GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said Nov. 14 that a national consensus has been reached for holding Palestinian elections, after Hamas said Nov. 10 that it approved of holding presidential and legislative elections in the West Bank, Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.
In a letter sent to all Palestinian factions Nov. 4, Abbas required written approvals from the factions on the seven points he put forth in order to issue a presidential decree on the date of the Palestinian general elections. The majority of the factions, including Hamas, handed over their approvals to the Central Elections Commission.