HAMAS WILL TAKE PART IN PALESTINIAN ELECTIONS

Hamas Will Take Part in Palestinian Vote.

NABLUS, West Bank - The Hamas militant group announced Saturday it will participate in Palestinian parliamentary elections, a decision that could undermine Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas’ attempts to renew peacemaking with Israel.

In the Gaza Strip, meanwhile, about 2,500 unemployed Palestinians stormed the parliament building, throwing stones at police and breaking windows. Police fired in the air and dispersed the crowd, but the confrontation was the latest sign of internal dissatisfaction.

Hamas — which launched a deadly suicide bombing campaign in Israel during four years of fighting — does not recognize Israel’s right to exist and has been committed to destroying the Jewish entity.