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Hamas supporters celebrating (AP)
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| By Israel Insider staff and partners January 26, 2006 |
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Hamas has won an absolute majority of 76 seats in the 132 seat Palestinian legislature, compared to just 43 for the ruling Fatah party. It narrowly edged Fatah, 30-27 in the national slate but won 36-16 over PA leader Mahmoud Abbas' party in regional slates.
Green-clad Hamas supporters draped flags on the legislature building, threw rocks at it and fired guns in the air.
Green-clad Hamas supporters are flooded the streets of Gaza, Hebron, and other cities, celebrating the victory with honking horns and gunfire.
Exit polls and other surveys Wednesday night had forecast a narrow Fatah victory. Official results were expected later Thursday.
Hamas, which has committed dozens of suicide bombings against Israel, has ruled out talks with the Jewish state. Israel's acting prime minister, Ehud Olmert, said Wednesday that Israel cannot accept a Palestinian government that includes Hamas unless it disarms.
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