Hamas heads for important local election wins

The militant Hamas group won municipal elections in the West Bank town of Qalqiliya and appeared headed for victory in two key Gaza Strip towns, poll results showed today, giving the Islamists new momentum ahead of parliamentary elections this summer.

Hamas and the ruling Fatah movement, tainted by corruption allegations, competed in 84 communities on Thursday. Preliminary results released today indicated Fatah won 52 of the races and Hamas won 30.