Qatari report: Understandings between Dahlan and Hamas on running in elections

The Qatari channel "Al-Arabi" reported on a rapprochement between exiled Fatah senior official Mohammed Dahlan and Hamas, under which an agreement was reached to form a joint list for the Palestinian Legislative Council elections in November. The list will include Hamas, the Popular Resistance Committees, and Islamic Jihad, along with other factions. This is a surprising development given the bitter rivalry between the sides in the past.

The Qatari channel "Al-Arabi" reported over the weekend on a significant rapprochement between exiled Fatah senior official Mohammed Dahlan and Hamas. According to Palestinian sources cited by the channel, an agreement was reached to form a joint list between Dahlan's faction and three terrorist organizations: Hamas, the Popular Resistance Committees, and Islamic Jihad. A meeting recently took place between Dahlan and Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya. The list, if officially established, will run in the elections for the Palestinian Authority's Legislative Council at the end of November. Other parties that may take part include the nephew of Arafat, former Palestinian Foreign Minister Nasser al-Qidwa, and the Popular Front organization. This is a surprising development, as about two decades ago Dahlan and Hamas were bitter rivals. Dahlan was the head of the Preventive Security Force in Gaza, which Hamas 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 transferring food supplies. According to a decree by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, only lists that commit to recognizing the PLO as the sole legitimate representative and the agreements it signed are allowed to participate in the elections. Hamas is exploring options such as assembling a list of candidates who are not officially members of the organization but are identified with it, or alliances with other parties like Dahlan. Egyptian sources told Al-Arabi that Cairo is trying to organize a consultation meeting between Fatah and Hamas in the coming days.