The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas refused the Palestinian government's decision of holding the municipality elections in the West Bank and postponing it in the Gaza Strip.

The spokesperson of Hamas, Fawzi Barhoum said in a press release that Hamas entirely reject the decision to hold the elections solely in the West Bank, noting that this will lead to maintain the internal division instead of eradicating it.

He added that excluding Gaza from the impending elections reflects the government's policy in ignoring the Gaza Strip and its continuation in dodging its responsibilities toward the impoverished and blockaded coastal territory.

Barhoum said that the current circumstances that the Palestinian Authority (PA) created in the West Bank do not encourage holding free and fair elections because of the heated campaigns implemented against the supporters of other Palestinian factions, particularly Hamas.

He holds the PA's Chairman, Mahmoud Abbas fully responsible for any consequences the latest decision will cause.

The Palestinian government based in Ramallah said last week that it is going to hold elections only in the West Bank on 13^th of May. It is noteworthy to say that most of the Palestinian factions including the Islamic Jehad expressed their refusal to the government's decision, and urged giving the priority to bring back order to the Palestinian house and to refrain from taking actions that solidify the internal split.