Hamas win is blow to ruling Fatah party

The Hamas militant group won local elections in the West Bank’s largest cities, according to preliminary results released today, dealing a harsh blow to the ruling Fatah party just six weeks ahead of a parliamentary poll.

Hamas swept more than 70% of the vote in the West Bank city of Nablus, highlighting the fierce challenge it poses to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah party, which suffered a split yesterday when a group of young-guard leaders broke away.