Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri has charged regional players with exerting political pressures that culminated in the postponement of the Palestinian municipal elections.

Abu Zuhri’s statement came in a speech he delivered to a political symposium in Gaza on Thursday.

“PA president Abbas conceded to European pressures and agreed to hold the elections betting that Gaza will not participate,” Abu Zuhri said, citing information gathered in meetings the Movement held with international officials.

He explained that Hamas’s decision to partake in the municipal elections spurred regional players to pressure for its cancellation.

“The Palestinian High Court sinned when it ordered the postponement of the elections,” he said, adding that the Court committed an even greater sin when it attempted to legitimize its decision through bypassing the courts in Gaza and denying their authority and role in resolving electoral disputes.

“Consensus agreements must be honored and national institutions must remain united.” He underlined.

He stressed the urgent need for a comprehensive Palestinian national dialogue to end to the deadlock in Palestinian politics and formulate a strategy to navigate through the current sensitive phase.