Hamas, Fatah to Meet in Cairo to Restore Palestinian Unity
Leaders of Hamas, Fatah and other Palestinian political groups are set to meet in Cairo, the Egyptian capital, to overcome the longstanding political division among Palestinians and establish national unity.
The meeting, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday (October 14 and 15), will discuss preparations for broader political dialogue, mutual understanding and the development of a common political position. If the initial talks prove positive, more extensive dialogue could begin on October 20.
Fatah spokesperson Abdel Fattah Dawla shared the information with Turkey’s Anadolu Agency. He said the meeting aims to build consensus among various Palestinian factions and pave the way for national dialogue. Representatives of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and other groups will attend. Fatah’s delegation will include the party’s Central Committee Secretary Jibril Rajoub and member Mohammad Shtayyeh.
The initiative to build consensus among Palestinian factions has gained added importance following the decision to postpone elections. On October 10, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced that the legislative elections scheduled for November 28 would be postponed, with presidential and legislative elections now set to take place simultaneously on September 11, 2027. The revised date further delays plans to hold elections after nearly two decades.
The Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), led by Abbas, said the current situation in occupied East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip was not conducive to free, fair and inclusive elections. The Palestinian Authority has alleged that Israeli restrictions on the entry of election commission staff and international observers into Gaza and East Jerusalem are obstructing preparations. Israel, however, has denied responsibility for the postponement.
The roots of the Palestinian political division go back many years. After Hamas won the 2006 legislative elections, its power struggle with Fatah intensified. Since Hamas established control over Gaza in 2007, separate administrative systems have effectively operated in the Palestinian territories. The Fatah-led Palestinian Authority administers parts of the West Bank, while Hamas has maintained its influence in Gaza.
Despite several rounds of Egyptian-mediated talks to resolve the division, a lasting agreement has yet to be reached. The Cairo meeting may focus on restructuring political institutions, holding elections and determining a future political course based on national consensus. Hamas has also called for a binding agreement through broader national dialogue to restructure Palestinian political institutions.
