The former Gaza-based leader of Fatah, Mohammed Dahlan, has declared that his political faction will be included on a combined electoral list with Hamas and the Islamic Jihad Movement for the forthcoming Palestinian Authority parliamentary elections. The announcement was made public through a live‑blog update on Middle East Eye, which cited statements from Palestinian officials.
Dahlan, a businessman known for his close connections to the United Arab Emirates, previously headed Fatah’s operations in the Gaza Strip before being expelled from the West Bank in the early 2000s. Since his exile, he has cultivated a network of supporters in the Gulf and has periodically voiced criticism of the Palestinian Authority’s leadership.
The newly formed list is described by officials as a "unified national list" that brings together the three groups in a single slate of candidates. By aligning with Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, and Islamic Jihad, a militant organization also based in Gaza, Dahlan’s faction appears to be seeking to present a consolidated opposition front to incumbent President Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah‑dominated administration.
Palestinian sources relayed to the Associated Press that the alliance is intended to broaden the electoral appeal of the opposition by combining Dahlan’s external backing with the grassroots support enjoyed by the two Gaza movements. The coalition is expected to contest all seats in the 132‑member Palestinian Legislative Council, though the exact composition of the candidate list has not yet been disclosed.
Analysts note that the move could reshape the dynamics of the upcoming vote, which has been postponed several times amid internal disputes and external pressure. A joint list may attract voters dissatisfied with the status quo, but it also raises questions about the integration of groups with divergent political and military agendas.
The formation of the coalition underscores the fluid nature of Palestinian politics ahead of the election, as various factions seek to reposition themselves in a landscape marked by long‑standing divisions, regional influences, and the ongoing Israeli‑Palestinian conflict.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Middle East Eye — original source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/mohammed-dahlans-faction-run-hamas-and-islamic-jihad-list-legislative.