Hamas, Islamic Jihad Form Unlikely Alliance with Fatah Ex-Official Dahlan

Hamas and Islamic Jihad have agreed to form an unexpected coalition with Mohammed Dahlan, a former senior Fatah official with close ties to the United Arab Emirates, Palestinian sources told the Associated Press. This alliance could potentially undermine the control of Fatah, led by Mahmoud Abbas, over the Palestinian Authority, but only if general elections, the first in 20 years, actually take place. Abbas has set November 28 for parliamentary elections in Gaza and the West Bank, though he has postponed them repeatedly, most recently in 2021 when Fatah appeared headed for defeat.

Mohammad al-Hindi, deputy secretary-general of Islamic Jihad, confirmed the alliance in an interview with AP in Istanbul. He stated the coalition would support a "unified national list" potentially comprising independent figures rather than official members of the militant groups. The bloc will be led by Dahlan, who was a prominent figure in Fatah's security apparatus before being exiled in 2010 following a bitter dispute with Abbas. He was previously expelled from Gaza by Hamas.

Since his exile, Dahlan has cultivated strong relationships with the UAE, where he advises the ruler, and has extensive connections with U.S. and Israeli officials. His alignment with Hamas and Islamic Jihad appears to stem from a shared frustration with Abbas, who has remained in power since his mandate expired in 2009. Hamas continues to control parts of the Gaza Strip, three years into its war with Israel.

Dimitri Diliani, spokesperson for Dahlan's "Democratic-Reformist Trend," confirmed the electoral alliance and sharply criticized Abbas's leadership, stating the Palestinian Authority has "disappointed Gaza and the Palestinian people everywhere." He indicated that other Palestinian organizations are part of the alliance, with efforts underway to include "all other factions and independent professionals" to unite around a national rehabilitation plan.

In August, Hamas reported that Dahlan and senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya met in Cairo to discuss ending the "monopoly on national decision-making and formulating a comprehensive national strategy."