Hamas, Fatah Consider Joint Elections List

Head of Hamas delegation Saleh Arouri and Fatah leader Azzam Ahmad sign a reconciliation deal in Cairo, Egypt, October 12, 2017. Reuters file photo
Head of Hamas delegation Saleh Arouri and Fatah leader Azzam Ahmad sign a reconciliation deal in Cairo, Egypt, October 12, 2017. Reuters file photo
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Hamas, Fatah Consider Joint Elections List

Head of Hamas delegation Saleh Arouri and Fatah leader Azzam Ahmad sign a reconciliation deal in Cairo, Egypt, October 12, 2017. Reuters file photo
Head of Hamas delegation Saleh Arouri and Fatah leader Azzam Ahmad sign a reconciliation deal in Cairo, Egypt, October 12, 2017. Reuters file photo

Hamas and Fatah movement are considering a joint list for the upcoming general elections, according to the head of Hamas politburo, Musa Abu Marzouk.

The Hamas official told al-Aqsa Radio that relations between the Palestinian Authority on one hand and the US administration and Israel on the other, along with the recent regional and Arab developments, made it imperative for Hamas to seek national unity.

He said that Hamas supports Fatah to overcome this stage and mobilize all Palestinian forces against the plans to end the Palestinian cause.

Abu Marzouq pointed out that the Palestinian reconciliation is an internal issue and is no longer sponsored by regional and international parties.

During previous rounds of talks, Fatah did not have any real intentions for reconciliation, according to Abu Marzouk.

Fatah and Hamas are expected to agree with other Palestinian factions on a date for the general elections.

The head of the Hamas political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, said that his movement and Fatah are considering running a joint list in Palestinian elections set to take place next year for the first time since the 2006 vote.

Haniyeh said Hamas had perceived “positive changes” in the West Bank as a result of reconciliation talks with Fatah aimed at forming a national unity government.

“We witnessed positive changes on the ground. I do not want to sound over-optimistic and preempt events but there are positive things.”

“What we hear from them in closed meetings is that they stress the importance of Hamas taking part, because Hamas has a right to be involved in the day-to-day running of the government,” Haniyeh said in statements carried by a website affiliated with the movement.



UK PM Tells Netanyahu Peace Process ‘Should Lead’ to Palestinian State

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference on the Southport attacks in the Downing Street Briefing Room in London, Britain, 21 January 2025. (EPA)
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference on the Southport attacks in the Downing Street Briefing Room in London, Britain, 21 January 2025. (EPA)
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UK PM Tells Netanyahu Peace Process ‘Should Lead’ to Palestinian State

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference on the Southport attacks in the Downing Street Briefing Room in London, Britain, 21 January 2025. (EPA)
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference on the Southport attacks in the Downing Street Briefing Room in London, Britain, 21 January 2025. (EPA)

UK premier Keir Starmer told Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday that any peace process in the Middle East should pave the way for a Palestinian state, Downing Street said.

The two leaders held a call that focused on the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, a UK government spokesperson said.

During the conversation, "both agreed that we must work towards a permanent and peaceful solution that guarantees Israel's security and stability", the British readout of the call added.

"The prime minister added that the UK stands ready to do everything it can to support a political process, which should also lead to a viable and sovereign Palestinian state."

Starmer also "reiterated that it was vital to ensure humanitarian aid can now flow uninterrupted into Gaza, to support the Palestinians who desperately need it", the statement added.

Starmer "offered his personal thanks for the work done by the Israeli government to secure the release of the hostages, including British hostage Emily Damari", the statement added.

"To see the pictures of Emily finally back in her family's arms was a wonderful moment but a reminder of the human cost of the conflict," Starmer added, according to the statement.

A truce agreement between Israel and Hamas to end 15 months of war in Gaza came into effect on Sunday.

The first part of the three-phase deal should last six weeks and see 33 hostages returned from Gaza in exchange for around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.