Full Breakdown
Hamas, Islamic Jihad and ex-Fatah official Mohammed Dahlan form electoral alliance ahead of November 2026 Palestinian elections
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Core Event: Formation of an anti-Abbas electoral coalition
Palestinian officials said Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and the faction led by ex-Fatah security chief Mohammed Dahlan have agreed to back a “unified national list” for the Legislative Council elections on Nov. 28, 2026. PIJ deputy secretary-general Mohammed al-Hindi told the Associated Press the alliance would be composed mainly of independent candidates. Dahlan’s spokesperson, Dimitri Diliani, confirmed the pact and said the coalition aims to challenge President Mahmoud Abbas’s dominance of the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Background & Context: Factional rivalry and previous election history
The PA’s last legislative vote was in 2006, when Hamas won and later took control of Gaza after a split with Fatah. Attempts to integrate Hamas and PIJ into the Palestine Liberation Organization have repeatedly failed because the PLO’s recognition of Israel conflicts with the militant groups’ stance. Dahlan, expelled from the West Bank in 2010 after a fallout with Abbas, has built a power base in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). His exile and UAE ties make the coalition an unexpected convergence of historically opposed actors.
Data & Statistics: Election timeline and humanitarian toll
- Sep. 26 – nomination stage began.
- Oct. 13 – deadline for submitting electoral lists.
- Nov. 28, 2026 – polling scheduled across Gaza and the West Bank.
- Since the Oct. 7 attacks, the Gaza Health Ministry reports over 74,000 Palestinian deaths and extensive destruction.
Official Statements & Responses: Positions of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Dahlan and Abbas
- Mohammed al-Hindi (PIJ) said the movement would “support a unified national list” and would not field its own candidates.
- Khalil al-Hayya (Hamas) affirmed Hamas will run as part of the coalition and reiterated its commitment to “resistance.”
- Mahmoud Abbas has announced the Nov. 28 election date but has a history of postponing votes when outcomes appear unfavorable to Fatah.
Criticism & Opposition: Dahlan’s spokesperson attacks Abbas; concerns about alliance viability
Diliani’s statement directly challenges Abbas, accusing the PA of systemic failure. Analysts warn the coalition’s reliance on groups designated as terrorist organizations by the United States could invite sanctions and complicate future governance. No formal response from Abbas’s office was available.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps: Ambiguity over formal confirmation and candidate participation
Hamas officials have not clarified whether the party will field candidates directly or only support the unified list, leaving the ballot composition uncertain.
Why It Matters: Potential shift in Palestinian Authority power dynamics
If the coalition presents a united front at the ballot box, it could erode Fatah’s monopoly over the PA and reshape politics in the West Bank and Gaza. The alliance signals a pragmatic convergence driven by frustration with Abbas’s prolonged rule, posing a dilemma for international actors that support Palestinian elections while wary of terrorist designations.
What's Next: Upcoming nomination deadline and scheduled election date
The Central Elections Commission will accept lists until Oct. 13, after which candidates must be finalized for the Nov. 28 poll. Observers note the election’s viability remains uncertain given the PA’s history of postponements and the volatile security environment.
