Hamas and Dahlan’s factions seek alliance that could reshape Palestinian elections and weaken Abbas

Anxiety has emerged within the Palestinian Authority (PA) leadership in Ramallah due to ongoing efforts by rival Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Mohammed Dahlan's camp, to form a political alliance ahead of the legislative council elections scheduled for November 28. This proposed alliance, described as a “wide national list,” aims to weaken Mahmoud Abbas's rule, with one Palestinian figure stating, “We want to bring Abbas down; We want to end his dominance.” The potential bloc, which may also include Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other groups, could significantly undermine Fatah's influence, as the largest parliamentary bloc forms the government. In response, the PA is considering countermeasures, including a Fatah delegation's visit to Cairo to discuss unifying the Fatah movement. Despite years of animosity, shared interests, particularly Dahlan's role in Gaza ceasefire arrangements, have brought Dahlan and Hamas closer. These developments raise questions about whether Abbas will proceed with the November elections if he perceives a significant threat to his power, though Hussein al-Sheikh affirmed elections would occur, including Jerusalem and Gaza, and stated Hamas could not run under its official name.