Hamas and Islamic Jihad Form Election Coalition in Palestinian Territories

Hamas and its ally, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, have agreed to form a coalition to participate in upcoming Palestinian Authority (PA) parliamentary elections, according to Palestinian officials cited by the Associated Press. The two groups intend to present a "unified national list" that may include independent candidates, not just members of the factions themselves.

This joint effort includes a bloc led by Mohammed Dahlan, a former high-ranking Fatah official and security chief who went into exile in 2010 after a dispute with PA President Mahmoud Abbas. Dahlan, who also previously clashed with Hamas in Gaza, now maintains close ties with the United Arab Emirates, where he serves as an advisor to the ruler.

It remains unclear whether the PA will permit this coalition to participate in the elections, or if Dahlan himself will run. The registration for election lists began recently, with six lists already submitted to the PA's Central Elections Commission, including those from PLO factions like the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Palestinian National Initiative, as well as a Fatah-affiliated list opposing Abbas's policies.

The Central Elections Commission has not yet approved any of the submitted lists. The PA has also not yet announced whether Hamas will be allowed to participate in the parliamentary elections, though it is anticipated the organization itself may be barred, potentially allowing a Hamas-linked list to run unofficially.