Hamas warns Gazans about January elections

GAZA, Oct. 28 (UPI) -- The Hamas-controlled Interior Ministry in Gaza said in a statement it wouldn't permit the January elections to take place in the Gaza Strip.

The ministry also said security forces would investigate anyone cooperating or participating in any part of the planned vote, decreed by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Ynetnews.com reported Wednesday.

Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza, on Wednesday rejected holding or participating in the elections, called by Abbas last week to take place in the West Bank and Gaza.

"The ministry objects to holding elections in the Strip, since he who called elections had no right to do so, and since the decision was made without national consent," the statement read.

The ministry also said, "(Anyone) cooperating with the call for elections is endangering themselves and will be summoned for investigation."