Hamas has won Gaza municipal elections as a Palestinian minister warns if Israeli occupation continues, then violence in the region will soon return. Speaking on Friday Ghassan al-Khatib, Palestinian Labour Minister, told Aljazeera: "We have to remember that violence is a result of the conflict, but not a reason for it. If the Israeli occupation continues, the violent conflict will then return."Al-Khatib made his comments as Palestinian security forces widened their control in the Gaza Strip on Friday under orders from President Mahmud Abbas to prevent attacks on Israelis in another important move towards reviving peace talks. But in a sign of challenges ahead for Abbas, Hamas won seats in seven of the 10 councils in the first-ever municipal elections held in the Gaza Strip; including seats in the three largest councils: Bait Hanun, Dair al-Balah and Bani Sayla, Laila el-Haddad, Aljazeera's Gaza correspondent, reported. Hamas won 76 out of the 118 seats, a step that could be seen as a test of strength between the resistance group and the new leader.