Qatari report: Understandings between Dahlan and Hamas on running in elections
According to the "Al-Araby" channel, the movement of the exiled senior Fatah official is set to form a list with Hamas and two other terrorist organizations. The list, if indeed formed, will run in the elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council in November.
The Qatari channel "Al-Araby" reported over the weekend on a significant rapprochement between the exiled senior Fatah official Mohammed Dahlan and Hamas.
Palestinian sources claimed on the channel that an agreement had been reached on the establishment of a joint list between Dahlan's movement and three terrorist organizations: Hamas, the Popular Resistance Committees, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Recently, a meeting took place between Dahlan and Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya. The list, if indeed formed officially, will compete in the elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council at the end of November. Other figures who may take part in the list are Arafat's nephew, former Palestinian Foreign Minister Nasser al-Qudwa, and the Popular Front organization.
This is a surprising development, as about two decades ago Dahlan and Hamas were bitter rivals. The former was the head of the Preventive Security in the Gaza Strip, which the terrorist organization took over by force in 2007. Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza in 2023, Dahlan has returned to being an influential figure in the Strip due to his involvement in the transfer of food supplies. Following this, he strengthened his support base in the Strip while living in exile in the Gulf.
According to a decree issued by the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas / Abu Mazen, only lists that commit to recognizing the PLO as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinians and the agreements it has signed (including those with Israel) are allowed to participate in the elections. Against this backdrop, Hamas is examining options such as compiling a list of candidates who are not officially members of the terrorist organization but are identified with it. Another option is alliances with other elements in the Palestinian political system such as Dahlan.
Meanwhile, Egyptian sources told "Al-Araby" that Cairo is trying to organize a consultative meeting between Fatah and Hamas during the next two days. According to the sources, contacts are underway regarding holding a meeting between the two organizations to discuss an agreed-upon wording regarding holding elections in the Palestinian Authority "without obstacles." They added that the contacts are intended to examine wording regarding Hamas's participation in the elections. At the same time, Palestinian sources told the Turkish agency "Anadolu" that the meeting in the coming week will focus on internal dialogue and the "challenges facing the Palestinian issue."
