Hamas, Islamic Jihad Form Alliance Against Fatah Ahead of Palestinian Elections

Hamas and Islamic Jihad have formed an electoral alliance with the movement of Mohammed Dahlan, a former senior Fatah official now aligned with the UAE, Palestinian sources told the Associated Press. This coalition could challenge the Fatah party's dominance of the Palestinian Authority if legislative elections, the first in twenty years, are held on November 28 in Gaza and the West Bank. Islamic Jihad's deputy secretary-general, Mohammed al-Hindi, confirmed the formation of a "unified national list," likely comprising independent figures rather than official faction representatives. Islamic Jihad, which has not historically participated in PA elections, is expected to support this joint list without fielding its own candidates.

The inclusion of Dahlan's movement is particularly surprising. Once Fatah's head of security, Dahlan was expelled from Gaza by Hamas and later from Fatah itself, going into exile in 2010. He has since become an advisor to UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed and maintains contacts with US and Israeli officials. Abu Dhabi played a key role in the 2020 Abraham Accords with Israel. Despite significant differences, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Dahlan's faction appear united by their opposition to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Dimitri Diliani, spokesperson for Dahlan's Democratic Reformist Current, did not formally confirm a coalition but acknowledged efforts to build a list based on a common reconstruction program. In August, Hamas announced a meeting in Cairo between Dahlan and Khalil al-Hayya, where they discussed reducing the concentration of Palestinian decision-making power within a single faction. Abbas, 90, has led the PA since his mandate expired in 2009, facing criticism for authoritarianism, corruption, and inefficiency.

The planned November 28 elections remain uncertain, as previous votes have been postponed, notably in 2021 when Fatah faced potential defeat. Hamas won the majority in the last legislative elections in 2006, leading to a boycott by Israel and Western countries, followed by Hamas's takeover of Gaza in 2007 after clashes with Fatah. Reconciliation attempts have consistently failed, with the Palestinian leadership's recognition of Israel remaining a major sticking point, which Hamas and Islamic Jihad refuse to endorse.

Al-Hindi also stated that Islamic Jihad was not informed in advance of Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack but joined the offensive shortly after its commencement.