Mohammed Dahlan, a prominent businessman and former Fatah leader in Gaza, has confirmed that his political faction will participate in the upcoming Palestinian legislative elections as part of a unified list alongside Hamas and Islamic Jihad. This move marks a significant shift in the Palestinian political landscape, as it brings together groups that have historically held opposing views and power bases.

According to reports from the Associated Press, Palestinian officials have characterized this alliance as a strategic effort to form a unified opposition against the current administration of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Dahlan, who currently maintains close ties with the United Arab Emirates, has been a long-standing rival of the current Fatah leadership. By aligning with Hamas and Islamic Jihad—groups that maintain significant influence in the Gaza Strip—Dahlan’s faction is positioning itself to challenge the dominance of the mainstream Fatah party in the legislative body.

The formation of this coalition suggests a potential realignment of political power within the Palestinian territories. While the specific platform of this joint list has not been fully detailed, the inclusion of Hamas and Islamic Jihad alongside Dahlan’s supporters indicates a broad-based attempt to consolidate anti-Abbas sentiment. The move is expected to heighten political tensions ahead of the vote, as it complicates the traditional binary of Fatah versus Hamas that has defined Palestinian politics for years.