Hamas said yesterday that it is ready for elections and handing over the Rafah Crossing to the unity government, the Anadolu Agency reported.

Hamas’s remarks came in response to claims by Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas that Hamas does not want elections or to hand over the administration of the crossing.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said: “Abbas’s claims are completely false and we are ready for all elections based on the reconciliation agreement reached in Cairo.”

On 25 September 2015, Hamas and Fatah signed an agreement in Cairo which included the implementation of all terms of the Palestinian reconciliation paper reached five months earlier.

The paper stipulated the formation of a unity government for six months followed by parliamentary, presidential and national council elections simultaneously.

A unity government was sworn in ten days later but has not taken responsibility for the Gaza Strip due to ongoing political difference between Fatah and Hamas.

(MEMO)