GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories -- Hamas said its former chief in Gaza, Ismail Haniya, was elected overall head of the Palestinian Islamist group on Saturday, succeeding Khaled Meshaal. "The Hamas Shura Council on Saturday elected Ismail Haniya as head of the movement's political bureau," the group's official website announced. He beat contenders Mussa Abu Marzuk and Mohamed Nazzal in a video-conference vote of the ruling council's members in Gaza, the West Bank and outside the Palestinian territories. On Monday, Hamas unveiled a new policy document easing its stance on Israel after having long called for its destruction. It also says its struggle is not against Jews because of their religion but against Israel as an occupier.

Source: The China Post May 06, 2017 14:15 UTC