ISTANBUL: In a dramatic political realignment, militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad have agreed to form an unexpected electoral coalition with a powerful former top Fatah official.
The developing political alliance includes factions loyal to Mohammed Dahlan, a former Gaza security chief for Fatah who has lived in exile for over a decade following a bitter falling-out with Abbas.
The coalition brings together bitter historical rivals and adds a new layer of complexity to future Palestinian political dynamics. Analysts note that joining forces with a UAE-aligned figure gives the coalition a unique geopolitical footprint, potentially altering the landscape of upcoming Palestinian votes as opposition factions seek to break the long-standing monopoly of the mainstream Fatah leadership.
