GAZA, Dec. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- Islamic Jihad prominent leader Mohamed al-Hindi in the Gaza Strip said on Monday that Jihad will not renew the truce with Israel nor run in the legislative elections due on Jan. 25.

    Al-Hindi said in a press statement that the truce will not be renewed after it expires on Dec. 31, because Israel has never been committed to any calmness or truce with the Palestinians.

    A total of 13 Palestinian factions and powers reached an agreement of calmness in Cairo in March.

    Al-Hindi said the reason Jihad refused to take part in the elections was the same with that in 1996.

    Jihad boycotted the first Palestinian parliamentary elections in 1996 citing its opposition to the Oslo Accords.

    Al-Hindi also accused the Palestinian National Authority (PNA)of bowing to US and Israeli pressures by carrying out arrest campaigns, during which several Jihad members were detained.   Enditem