RAMALLAH, Feb 20 (JMCC) - A proposal by Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad seeks Hamas involvement in the upcoming elections without interrupting its control over the Gaza Strip.
While the details are still being worked out, Fayyad said that in return he asks Hamas to preserve a cease-fire with Israel.
The Palestinian Authority would continue to govern from the West Bank.
Commenting last week on the Palestinian Authority's announcement of an upcoming vote, Hamas, which has sour relations with Abbas, said it would not take part in the ballot or recognize the results - a decision that will make it hard for Abbas to stage a credible vote.
Abbas's credibility has been sapped by stalled talks with Israel on a deal to establish an independent state, and the Palestinians have increasingly taken steps to build international consensus in an attempt to pressure Israel into making concessions.
Read the full story at Haaretz...