All articles tagged with #fatah
Hamas and Islamic Jihad have formed an electoral coalition with a former Fatah official, aiming to participate in upcoming Palestinian elections. This alliance seeks to bypass the stalled Palestine Liberation Organization and address the political vacuum following the 2023 war, despite ongoing tensions over disarmament and Israeli occupation.
Fatah wrapped up its eighth general conference by electing a new 18-member Central Committee and an accompanying Revolutionary Council, with turnout reported at about 94.6%. The vote consolidates the Ramallah-based establishment, adding Majed Faraj, Yasser Abbas, and Laila Ghannam to top posts, and including Zakaria Zubeidi, a former al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades commander recently released from Israeli custody. The three-day, multi-hub process across Ramallah, Gaza, Beirut, and Cairo underscored the movement’s continued dominance of the Palestinian Authority and the PLO since 1994, while Mahmoud Abbas was re-elected as overall leader.
Abbas loyalists won most West Bank municipal races, with Hamas boycotting Gaza and not nominating candidates there; Gaza held its first municipal election in about two decades, but turnout was low (around 23%) due to war and displacement, while the West Bank turnout was about 56%. In Deir el-Balah, the Fatah-backed Nahdat Deir el-Balah secured six seats, Deir el-Balah Brings Us Together won two, and two other Gaza-based groups captured the remaining seats, signaling a mixed result amid Israeli restrictions and ongoing conflict.
Palestinians vote in local elections across the West Bank and Gaza—the first Gaza-wide poll since 2006—with Hamas barred from standing and Fatah dominant in the West Bank; more than a million eligible voters, including about 70,000 in Deir al-Balah where 12 polling stations operate, and results expected late Saturday or Sunday amid ongoing factional tensions.
Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas announced that the Palestinian Liberation Organization’s parliament, the Palestinian National Council, will hold its first vote-based elections on November 1, aiming for broad participation inside and outside Palestine. He also set May 14, 2026 for Fatah’s 8th General Conference and April 25, 2026 for local West Bank elections; the PNC has not convened since 2018, and the vote abroad logistics remain unclear amid a shrinking Fatah base and rising distrust of the PA.
Palestinian Authority President Abbas faces protests and criticism after canceling the 'pay-for-slay' policy, replacing it with a needs-based system amid economic pressures and international criticism, sparking national debate over prisoners' rights and political integrity.
Officials from Fatah and Hamas will meet in China next week to discuss plans for Gaza's future post-Israel-Hamas war. Previous attempts to bridge the gap between the two groups have been unsuccessful, with Fatah criticizing Hamas for actions that have allegedly sabotaged efforts to establish a Palestinian state.
China will host senior officials from Hamas and Fatah next week in an effort to bridge gaps between the rival Palestinian factions, which is seen as crucial for the postwar governance and rebuilding of Gaza. Despite previous unsuccessful mediation attempts, China continues to position itself as a peace broker, with meetings scheduled between the factions and China's foreign minister, Wang Yi.
Palestinian officials from Fatah blame Hamas for the recent conflict with Israel, criticizing the group's lavish lifestyle in Qatar and ties to Iran. Fatah questions Hamas' decision-making and denounces their opposition to the appointment of new Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa. Meanwhile, Hamas calls for unified leadership and free elections, while Mustafa is tasked with unifying administration in the West Bank and Gaza, leading reforms, and fighting corruption. The United States expects the new government to deliver credible reforms for stability in the region.
Israel may be cooperating with Fatah to bring humanitarian aid into Gaza, with a "guard squad" accompanying aid trucks to protect them from attack or theft. This development comes amid sharp criticism of Hamas by Fatah, which accuses Hamas of causing a catastrophic disaster in Gaza and prioritizing war over the needs of the Palestinian people. Additionally, there are reports that Israel is considering using international private security companies to protect aid shipments entering Gaza.
The Palestinian Authority's Fatah faction has blamed Hamas for the current "Nakba," accusing them of causing disastrous outcomes and questioning their commitment to national priorities. This comes in response to Hamas's critique of the appointment of new Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, with Fatah mocking Hamas and questioning their decisions, including the 2007 coup and their alliance with Iran. The two factions have a history of rivalry, with Fatah highlighting Hamas's luxurious lifestyle in Qatar and their abandonment of the Palestinian people during conflicts. Hamas, however, has been gaining popularity in the Palestinian street, recording successes in local and student elections.
Representatives of Fatah and Hamas are set to meet in Moscow to discuss the formation of a unified Palestinian government and the reconstruction of Gaza, as confirmed by the Palestinian ambassador to Russia and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov.
Recent polling in Israel and Palestine reveals a stark contrast in public opinion regarding the future governance of Gaza. The majority of Israelis believe it is "very important" to topple the Hamas regime in Gaza, while Palestinians increasingly support Hamas as the most deserving group to lead them. Dissatisfaction with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has grown, with a significant number of Palestinians demanding his resignation. In a hypothetical election, Hamas Chairman Ismail Haniyeh would now win by a landslide against Abbas. The challenge lies in the opposing desires of Israelis to destroy Hamas and Palestinians to elevate it, highlighting the complexity of Gaza's future governance.
The Israeli army conducted an operation in Tul Karm, West Bank, resulting in the killing of four Palestinians, including two Hamas and Fatah members. The army claims that the individuals were responsible for numerous shooting attacks and had plans for further attacks in Israeli territory.
NPR interviews with Palestinians in the West Bank reveal that Hamas enjoys political support among Palestinians, despite not ruling in the West Bank. The Fatah party, which governs the West Bank, is politically weak and has lost standing due to its cooperation with Israel. It is unlikely that Fatah would take over from Hamas in Gaza. The future governance of Gaza remains uncertain if Hamas is toppled, as Israel's options are limited and controversial.