The Palestinians’ ruling Fatah Party appeared to be bouncing back from corruption and inefficiency charges to show strength in local elections that could provide momentum toward a summer parliamentary election showdown with Hamas.

PALESTINIANS voted for local governments in dozens of towns and villages across the West Bank and Gaza Strip yesterday — a contest that is expected to boost the Islamic militant group Hamas and could foreshadow results of parliamentary elections in July.

Palestinians voted for local governments in dozens of towns and villages across the West Bank and Gaza Strip today – a contest that is expected to boost the Islamic militant group Hamas and could foreshadow results of parliamentary elections in July.