Hamas and Islamic Jihad join forces with ex-Fatah leader in new electoral bloc

Hamas and its ally Islamic Jihad announced an electoral partnership that will support a unified national list, possibly composed of independent candidates, according to Mohammed al-Hindi in Istanbul. The coalition will incorporate a bloc headed by Mohammed Dahlan, a former Fatah security chief exiled in 2010 and now an adviser to the United Arab Emirates ruler. Dahlan's Reformist Democratic Faction spokesperson said the groups are assembling a list that transcends their political differences and seeks to end what they view as Abbas' autocratic rule.

While the alliance could threaten the Fatah party's grip on the Palestinian Authority, its effectiveness hinges on the uncertain holding of parliamentary elections slated for Nov. 28. Ongoing violence in Gaza and the West Bank adds further uncertainty to the political landscape.