Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Dahlan Form Alliance Against Abbas

A new political front has been formed by Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and influential Palestinian figure Mohammed Dahlan, aiming to challenge the leadership of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Islamic Jihad's deputy secretary-general, Mohammad al-Hindi, revealed the alliance in an interview in Turkey, stating that his organization would not field direct candidates but would support a "unified national list" likely composed of independent figures. This move comes after previous attempts to achieve broad internal consensus among Palestinian factions failed.

The agreement unites long-time rivals. Dahlan, formerly head of Fatah's security apparatus, was expelled from Gaza by Hamas and later exiled from the West Bank in 2010 following a severe dispute with Abbas. Currently an advisor to the ruler of the United Arab Emirates, Dahlan maintains extensive ties with Israeli and American officials. The alliance reportedly stems from a shared frustration with the 90-year-old Abbas, whose presidential term officially ended in 2009.

Dimitri Deliani, spokesperson for Dahlan's "Reformist Stream," criticized the Palestinian Authority for failing Gaza and the Palestinian people, announcing efforts to recruit additional elements around a "national rehabilitation plan." In August, Hamas had announced that Dahlan and senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya met in Cairo to discuss ending the "monopoly on national decision-making."

Despite Abbas's announcement of parliamentary elections scheduled for November 28 in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, their realization remains uncertain. Abbas has repeatedly postponed votes, most recently in 2021. The last Palestinian elections were held in 2006, resulting in a Hamas victory that led to an international boycott and violent clashes, culminating in Hamas's takeover of Gaza in 2007.

Al-Hindi also addressed the October 7th attack, claiming Islamic Jihad was surprised by the operation and not involved in its initial planning, stating, "In the morning, we saw the reports of what happened, but as a resistance movement, we rushed to participate." He acknowledged internal public criticism regarding the destruction in Gaza but asserted the attack aimed to prevent the Palestinian issue from being marginalized amid normalization agreements. He further stated that his organization and Hamas agreed to the American framework for a ceasefire, including the disarmament of factions in the second phase, but accused Israel of delaying its implementation.