Hamas, Palestinian Factions Hold Talks in Cairo on National Issues, Elections

A senior Hamas delegation, led by Husam Badran, head of the movement's National Relations Office, held consultations with various Palestinian factions and forces in Cairo, Egypt, to discuss developments in the Palestinian issue. The delegation included Ghazi Hamad, Ali Baraka, Suhail al-Hindi, and Mahmoud al-Ramlawi.

The Hamas leadership met with representatives from the Islamic Jihad movement, the Democratic Reformist Current within Fatah, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the Free Palestine Movement, the Popular Front, General Command, the Popular Resistance Committees, and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Discussions focused on the Palestinian cause, particularly legislative and Palestinian National Council elections, and ways to strengthen national unity, according to a Hamas statement released Monday.

The meetings affirmed the Palestinian people's right to defend themselves, their land, and their holy sites, while emphasizing their right to freely and transparently elect their representatives in the Legislative Council and the National Council, rejecting appointment, exclusion, and unilateralism. The participants agreed to continue consultations and coordination among Palestinian factions, forces, and national figures.

They also committed to working towards ending the division and rebuilding the Palestine Liberation Organization on democratic, participatory, and national foundations. Additionally, the groups aim to formulate a unified national strategy to confront the occupation, settlements, Judaization, displacement, and annexation, lift the blockade on the Gaza Strip, and bolster the steadfastness of the Palestinian people, as stated by Hamas.