The Palestinians’ ruling Fatah Party has split, with young activists forming their own group for the January parliamentary election.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas’ ruling Fatah movement fended off a strong challenge by the Islamic militant group Hamas in local elections in the West Bank and Gaza Strip today, with Fatah winning 56% and Hamas with 33% of the vote.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas’ ruling Fatah party has set a date for a primary election to choose candidates for the summer parliamentary vote.

The top Palestinian security commander promised swift action to stop violence against Israel today after a suicide bombing in Gaza disrupted fledgling efforts by Mahmoud Abbas to coax militants into halting their attacks.

Two opinion polls published today predicted a tight race for Palestinian president between interim leader Mahmoud Abbas and his jailed challenger, Marwan Barghouti, while a third survey gave Abbas the advantage.

PALESTINIAN officials said yesterday that jailed uprising leader Marwan Barghouti will not run for president in upcoming Palestinian elections.

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat said today that he expects an official announcement later today of an agreement by Palestinian militias to suspend attacks on Israelis.

Islamic militants have agreed to halt attacks on Israelis for three months and a formal truce will be announced before the weekend, Palestinian negotiators said today.

Islamic militants agreed to halt attacks on Israelis for three months, Palestinian negotiators said, but the tenuous deal was immediately undercut by an Israeli airstrike and Hamas threats of revenge.

An Israeli military court has backed the expulsion of three Palestinian relatives of suspected terrorists from the West Bank to Gaza.