Hamas gains ground on Fatah

HAMAS militants have gained ground against Mahmoud Abbas’ ruling Fatah Party in their first legislative run as polls show two movements tied for the lead with the election just a day away.

Yesterday, Palestinians plastered walls with posters, strung up banners and cruised the streets with loudspeakers on the final day of campaigning before parliamentary elections. Across the West Bank and Gaza, yesterday was the last day of early voting for 58,000 members of the security forces. They were asked to cast ballots early, in order to be free to secure polling stations during tomorrow’s election.

Hisham Assam, aged 39, a major, said he’s supporting Fatah because backing Hamas would be too much of a gamble. Fatah has been the torchbearer of the Palestinian cause for 40 years, but voter complaints of corruption and mismanagement have cost it support. “With Fatah, at least we know what we are getting,” said Assam. “With Hamas, we are heading into the unknown.”