Abbas planning to call elections

Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas is planning to challenge Hamas by holding elections only in West Bank under his control, Israeli Channel 2 News reported on Friday.

According to the report, which cited officials in Ramallah, Abbas is planning to call for elections in West Bank soon, and has appointed a team of officials from his Fatah movement to plan the move.

According to Channel 2 News’ analyst Ehud Yaari, the move is meant to force Hamas, the Fatah movement’s longtime movement, into a corner.

The move, which Abbas will carry out parallel to the so-called 'peace' talks with Israel, would include both presidential elections and parliamentary elections.

Abbas’s term as PA Chairman ended years ago, but he continues in his role despite no one having given him the mandate to do so.