Palestinian factions are seeking common ground on political representation and governance, nearly two decades after a split that has left Gaza and the occupied West Bank under separate administrations.
Palestinian factions, including Fatah and Hamas, are set to begin preparatory talks in Cairo on Wednesday, in another attempt to bridge longstanding political divisions and lay the groundwork for a broader national dialogue.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) will also participate in the meetings on 14 and 15 October, Anadolu Agency reported, citing Fatah spokesperson Abdel Fattah Dawla.
The discussions will focus on preparations for wider negotiations and efforts to build consensus among Palestinian factions, with a further round of talks potentially taking place on 20 October, depending on the outcomes of the preliminary meetings.
Anadolu reported Fatah’s delegation will include Central Committee member Jibril Rajoub and committee member Mohammed Shtayyeh, both expected to arrive in the Egyptian capital on Wednesday.
The meetings follow two days of discussions in Cairo last week involving Fatah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the PFLP, as Egypt continues its efforts to bring the Palestinian factions towards a common political position.
It also comes days after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas postponed legislative elections and scheduled simultaneous parliamentary votes for 11 September 2027.
What is at stake in the Cairo talks?
Beyond preparations for another round of negotiations, the Cairo meetings raise questions about how Palestinian factions could agree on a unified political leadership and the future administration of Palestinian territories. While Hamas has been in control of Gaza since 2007, the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority has been in control of the West Bank.
As previously reported by the Associated Press, longstanding disagreements over political representation and the governance have hindered reconciliation efforts, including repeated attempts to bring Hamas and Islamic Jihad into the Palestine Liberation Organisation.
The factions have attempted to address some of their issues before.
As per the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in July 2024, Fatah, Hamas and 12 other Palestinian factions signed the Beijing Declarations, agreeing in principle to form an interim national reconciliation government and work towards unified Palestinian institutions. However, the agreement did not produce a lasting political settlement.
For the latest Cairo discussions, agreement on the agenda, priorities and framework for further negotiations is set to be expected.
Why have the Palestinian elections been delayed again?
The latest talks come against the backdrop of another postponement of Palestinian elections, extending an already lengthy absence of national voting.
On October 10, Abbas issued a decree scheduling simultaneous presidential and legislative elections for September 11, 2027, replacing plans to hold legislative elections in November 2026.
Al Jazeera reported on the PLO citing deteriorating conditions in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, including Israeli restrictions affecting the movement of the election materials and international observers, as obstacles to conducting the vote.
Fatah welcomed the decision, while Hamas called for comprehensive national dialogue and binding agreements on reorganising Palestinian political institutions according to Anadolu.
Palestinians last voted in a presidential election in 2005, when Abbas was elected, and in legislative elections in 2006, which Hamas had won.
A previous attempt to hold presidential and legislative elections in 2021 was also postponed, with Abbas citing uncertainty over whether Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem would be permitted to participate.