Senior representatives of Fatah and former Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan’s Democratic Reform bloc have held reconciliation talks in Egypt as Palestinian factions prepare for legislative elections expected in November.
The meeting in Alamein was led by Palestinian Authority Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh for Fatah and Democratic Reform deputy leader Samir al-Mashharawi. Although the talks were described as positive, no concrete agreement was reached.
The discussions come amid growing concern within Fatah over a possible electoral alliance involving Dahlan’s bloc, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other Palestinian factions. Such a coalition could pose a serious challenge to Fatah in the first Palestinian legislative elections since 2006.
Dahlan and Hamas were once bitter rivals, particularly during Dahlan’s powerful role in Gaza. Their rivalry contributed to the 2007 conflict that resulted in Fatah losing control of the Gaza Strip.
Fatah seeks to prevent opposition alliance
Political analysts say Fatah’s main objective is to prevent Dahlan’s group from joining a wider opposition coalition.
Analyst Ahmed al-Tanani said the possibility of a united opposition had complicated calculations for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who is 90 years old and facing growing internal opposition.
Democratic Reform has called for former Fatah officials who were expelled or sidelined under Abbas to have their rights restored. The group insists that its discussions with other Palestinian factions are not intended to directly target Fatah.
Dahlan’s political comeback
The elections could also provide Dahlan with an opportunity to return to formal Palestinian politics after years outside the Palestinian territories.
Analysts believe his regional and international connections, including relationships with Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Europe and the United States, could strengthen his political position.
A potential alliance between Dahlan and Hamas could also give Hamas broader political legitimacy if the coalition performs strongly in the elections.
Abbas succession adds another dimension
The talks are also taking place against the backdrop of uncertainty over who will eventually succeed Mahmoud Abbas.
Dahlan is considered one of the possible figures who could play a role in the future Palestinian leadership. His return to Fatah could threaten the prospects of other potential successors, including Abbas’s son Yasser Abbas, who joined Fatah’s Central Committee in May.
Analysts say an alliance involving Dahlan, imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti and veteran politician Nasser al-Qudwa could further challenge the current Fatah leadership.
Elections remain uncertain
Despite preparations for the November elections, questions remain over whether the vote will actually take place and how much it would change the existing political balance.
Analysts note that Abbas retains significant institutional powers that could limit the ability of an opposition coalition to take control even if it wins a legislative majority.
There is also concern that the elections could be postponed, as happened in 2021.
For now, the Fatah-Dahlan reconciliation talks represent an effort by Abbas’s camp to prevent rival factions from uniting ahead of the vote, while Dahlan and other opposition groups seek to turn their growing cooperation into electoral strength.
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