The first television channel run by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) began broadcasting on Sunday in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian witnesses said.

The debut of the channel, l-Aqsa TV, lasted only one hour

beginning with reading of Koran verses followed by news bulletin and songs for Hamas.

It is not a satellite TV channel but Palestinians in Gaza can watch it by placing antenna on roofs, said the witnesses.

The channel was launched during election campaign which began on Jan. 3 and will last until Jan. 24, one day ahead of the scheduled elections.

Besides the TV channel, Hamas has a local radio station called l-Aqsa Radio, which has been broadcasting for about two years.

Ismael Haneya, who tops Hamas candidates list for the upcoming legislative elections, said earlier that Hamas is planning to have its own satellite TV channel after the elections.

Source: Xinhua