GAZA CITY, January 26, 2006 (IslamOnline.net) – Thousands of jubilant Palestinians took to the streets on Thursday, January 26, to celebrate the resistance group Hamas's stunning election victory.

"Congratulations Palestine. This is the dawn of change and reform," a thrilled Umm Ramy told IslamOnlin.net.

"We are tried and sick of corruption its about time we see some real change, she added.

Initial election results showed that Hamas has won an absolute majority of seats in the Palestinian legislative elections, the first in a decade.

The ruling government of long-dominant Fatah has resigned and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was expected to ask Hamas to form the new government.

With horns blaring, truckloads of supporters waving Hamas's traditional green flags drove through the Gaza Strip.

Youths wearing green bandanas or baseball caps hung out of car windows as they careered along the streets, shouting pro-Hamas slogans and making victory signs with their fingers.

"I'm walking on the moon," said Mohamed Abu Nakhla, a shop owner.

"I expected Hamas to perform well in the polls, but this stunning victory never crossed my mind."

Ahmed Ghandour said no words could express his happiness.

"This is a victory for the Palestinian people and the Muslim nation," added Sami cheerfully.

Hamas has been riding a wave of popularity among Palestinians because of its corruption-free reputation, extensive charity network and resistance against the Israeli occupation.

Children joined the Palestinian celebrations. (Reuters)

Celebrating the victory, many Palestinian were hopeful Hamas would seek a coalition government and shun Fatah's monopoly mistake.

"The entire Palestinian people voted for Hamas. I hope the group would form a national unity government," Amin El-Sayyed told IOL.

Hoda El-Naggar, a university student, agreed.

"I pray that Hamas would not make the same mistake of Fatah and try to be the sole decision-maker."

She hoped Hamas would reward the Palestinians who voted for its candidates by working with Fatah and other groups to form a coalition government.

Winner Hamas said it remains ready to negotiate with Abbas and other parties on political partnership.

"Hamas is not going to work alone, but with the other groups who represent the Palestinian people," chief candidate Ismail Haniya said Thursday.

"We want to work with you together because the challenges facing the Palestinian people are great and the fight is still long," he said, addressing his remarks to long-dominant Fatah.

Before the elections, Hamas said it does not want to govern alone, and would prefer to bring Fatah into a coalition.

However, as political maneuvering gathered steam, many leading Fatah officials said Thursday their long-dominant movement would not join a Hamas-led government.

"We will set as the loyal opposition in parliament," chief negotiator Saeb Erakat said.

The election results left many Fatah supporters stunned.

"I can't believe that Fatah has failed to secure even one seat in Gaza," said Salem Abu Kashif who voted for Fatah.

Despite the shock, other Fatah supporters congratulated Hamas for its electoral victory.

"I'm happy for Hamas though I did not give it my vote," said Ramez El-Halabi. "I hope the group would live up to the people's expectations."

Umm Rafat, a housewife, concurred.

"Yes I support Fatah but as a Palestinian I also congratulate Hamas and hope the group would do better for the Palestinian people," she said.

Fatah has held a near-monopoly on power since the Palestinian Authority was created in 1994.

But it has been divided by infighting in recent years, and its future is now uncertain.