Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah movement narrowly beat off a strong challenge by the militant group Hamas in local elections in the West Bank and Gaza Strip on Friday, with Fatah winning 56 percent and Hamas 33 percent of the vote.Fatah had feared defeat in Thursday's elections but the results indicated the party won in 45 of 84 communities. However, Hamas established itself as a major political player by winning 23 of the contests, including in the three biggest towns, Qalqiliya, Rafah and Beit Lahiya. In the remaining 16 communities, neither side won a clear majority, with independents or smaller factions getting the most votes. Both Hamas and Fatah disputed some of the results. Hamas said it had won in 34 communities, with its candidates in some towns running as independents for fear they would otherwise be targeted by Israel. Fatah also demanded a recount in Rafah and the Bureij refugee camp.