Militant Islamic group Hamas risked world isolation today after the movement’s shock victory in Palestinian parliamentary elections.

The ruling Fatah Party and the Islamic Hamas group today made impassioned last-minute appeals for support on the final day of campaigning in the Palestinian parliamentary elections.

Israeli police raided the Hamas group’s election offices in east Jerusalem today.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said today that Palestinian parliamentary elections will take place as scheduled, on January 25, after he received US assurances that Arab residents of Jerusalem will be able to cast their ballots in the city.

Israeli artillery pounded northern Gaza in a new, aggressive policy to halt Palestinian rockets by threatening to shoot anyone who approached the border.

THE Palestinians took control of a border for the first time with the festive opening yesterday of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt - a milestone on their rocky path to independence and a rare moment of joy for fenced-in Gazans.

Hamas would consider holding negotiations with Israel, a top leader of the Islamic militant group said in an interview broadcast today, indicating that the hardline group was moderating its tone ahead of Palestinian parliamentary elections.

Thousands of people streamed into the centre of Gaza City after sundown today for a huge Hamas rally marking the end of Israel’s 38-year military presence in the seaside territory.

Palestinian parliamentary elections will be held on January 25, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas announced today.

Israel’s evacuation of 21 Jewish settlements from the Gaza Strip will begin in mid-August, a month later than planned, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said today, citing a religious mourning period but raising doubts about Israel’s readiness for the evacuation and even its resolve in carrying it out.