Fatah Delegation in Cairo for National Dialogue Talks

A Fatah delegation arrived in Cairo on Wednesday for consultations with Egyptian leadership and representatives of Palestinian factions. The talks aim to address the internal Palestinian division, agree on a unified political program, form a central government, and arrange general elections. These discussions are centered around seven conditions proposed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, which include adhering to the Palestine Liberation Organization's (PLO) political program, recognizing its sole representation of the Palestinian people, ending the repercussions of the division, unifying political and security authorities, agreeing on elections, committing to international legitimacy, and adopting peaceful popular struggle.

The Fatah delegation includes Jibril Rajoub, Secretary of the movement's Central Committee, and Mohammad Shtayyeh, a member of the Central Committee. Spokesperson Mundhir al-Hayek stated that the delegation has full authority to conduct consultations and will present the outcomes to the Central Committee and President Abbas. Other factions, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, will consult their leaderships on any agreements.

Fatah proposes adopting the PLO's political program, based on a two-state solution with a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, and unifying the political and security authority in the West Bank and Gaza Strip under a single law and one legitimate weapon. The movement also advocates for peaceful popular struggle and forming a central government to manage Palestinian affairs. The dialogue is also expected to cover the reconstruction of Gaza, strengthening Palestinian resilience against settlement expansion in the West Bank, and mechanisms for electing the Palestinian National Council, which represents Palestinians in the territories and the diaspora.

The consultations occur amidst ongoing debate over the postponement of Palestinian elections. Originally scheduled for November 28, a presidential decree later set the general elections for September 11, 2027. Al-Hayek stated Fatah is ready for elections as soon as possible if Israel allows them in East Jerusalem and Gaza, calling them necessary to protect the Palestinian national project and counter attempts to separate the West Bank from Gaza. He accused Israel of obstructing the electoral process, including preventing the Central Elections Commission from entering Gaza.

Regarding the potential participation of the reformist current within Fatah, associated with Mohammed Dahlan, al-Hayek clarified that it is an internal current, not an independent faction, and its disputes should be resolved internally. The outcomes of the Cairo consultations are expected to determine the factions' readiness to agree on a political program, governance arrangements, and elections, given existing disagreements on political participation, the future of Gaza's administration, security authority, and adherence to the PLO program and international legitimacy.