By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
The political chief of Hamas, the militant Palestinian group, said on Friday the organization would participate in upcoming legislative elections but would not negotiate with Israel, vowing to continue its armed struggle against the Jewish State.
"We will enter the parliament and (engage in) political work ... without giving up one inch of Palestine," Khaled Mashaal said in a speech marking the 18th anniversary of the founding of Hamas.
The Islamic movement is fielding candidates for the first time in Palestinian parliamentary elections slated for Jan. 25 and has done well in several rounds of local voting.
The terror group, which has killed hundreds of Israelis in suicide bombings, appears poised to make a strong showing against the Palestinians' long-ruling mainstream Fatah Party in the election.