Fatah Discusses Preparations for Palestinian Elections, Hamas Stresses ‘Integrity’

About 800 Jewish settlers live in Hebron under the protection of the Israeli army, while nearly 200,000 Palestinians live in the city's environs. (EPA)
About 800 Jewish settlers live in Hebron under the protection of the Israeli army, while nearly 200,000 Palestinians live in the city's environs. (EPA)
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Fatah Discusses Preparations for Palestinian Elections, Hamas Stresses ‘Integrity’

About 800 Jewish settlers live in Hebron under the protection of the Israeli army, while nearly 200,000 Palestinians live in the city's environs. (EPA)
About 800 Jewish settlers live in Hebron under the protection of the Israeli army, while nearly 200,000 Palestinians live in the city's environs. (EPA)

Fatah Movement has discussed with Palestine Liberation Organization factions the formation of a joint list for the upcoming elections, said Fatah Central Committee (FCC) member Azzam al-Ahmad.

He noted, however, that no decision has yet been taken, pending a meeting in Cairo with the rest of the factions in February.

In his comments to the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), Ahmad said that the idea of a joint coalition that would bring together Fatah and Hamas in one list has sparked controversy in Palestine.

“Some people strongly supported such a list, which others rejected and many Palestinians wondered who would compete with the list, since they are the two major factions and the competition is supposed to take place between them.”

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will chair on Sunday an FCC meeting to discuss Fatah’s preparedness for the elections and the voting process.

According to Ahmad, the meeting will try to answer these questions: “How will we participate in the elections? What is required from the leadership and regulatory bodies? What standards will be set? What are the administrative, leadership and security measures required for the success of these polls? Is there a possibility to participate in joint lists?

The Central Committee will form several committees to follow up the implementation of the decisions taken at the meeting.

Meanwhile, Hamas has been carrying out internal discussions prior to Cairo’s meeting.

Hamas’s politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh has stressed the significant role of the United Nations and the international community in the upcoming elections, especially in ensuring the integrity of procedures, arrangements and freedom of voting, as well as pressuring Israel to “not hinder the electoral process, especially in Jerusalem.”

Haniyeh pointed out that the elections will open the door for ending division, bolstering the principle of partnership and protecting the national project, which is facing great challenges.

Fatah governs the West Bank while Hamas rules the Gaza Strip since the 2007 division.

Palestinians hope the legislative elections would be the beginning of this division’s end and a mean to unify Palestinian institutions in the West Bank and Gaza.

On Jan. 15, Abbas signed a decree setting legislative elections for May 22 and a presidential vote on July 31, in what would be the first Palestinian polls in 15 years.

Fatah immediately called for the widest participation in the elections, while Hamas called for overcoming all obstacles.

In order to make the general elections a success, all factions will participate in a Palestinian national dialogue in Cairo scheduled to take place in early February.

During the meeting, factions will discuss the arrangements required to carry out elections on time, create the necessary political, media and security conditions and sign an honor pact in which they pledge to respect the results of the polls.



US Launches Airstrikes by Fighter Jets and Ships on Yemen’s Iran-Backed Houthis

 Smoke rises from the site of strikes in Sanaa, Yemen October 4, 2024. (Reuters)
Smoke rises from the site of strikes in Sanaa, Yemen October 4, 2024. (Reuters)
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US Launches Airstrikes by Fighter Jets and Ships on Yemen’s Iran-Backed Houthis

 Smoke rises from the site of strikes in Sanaa, Yemen October 4, 2024. (Reuters)
Smoke rises from the site of strikes in Sanaa, Yemen October 4, 2024. (Reuters)

The US military struck more than a dozen Houthi targets in Yemen on Friday, going after weapons systems, bases and other equipment belonging to the Iranian-backed militias, US officials confirmed.

Military aircraft and warships bombed Houthi strongholds at roughly five locations, according to the officials.

Houthi media said seven strikes hit the airport in Hodeidah, a major port city, and the Katheib area, which has a Houthi-controlled military base. Four more strikes hit the Seiyana area in Sanaa, the capital, and two strikes hit the Dhamar province. The Houthi media office also reported three air raids in Bayda province, southeast of Sanaa.

The strikes come just days after the Houthis threatened “escalating military operations” targeting Israel after they apparently shot down a US military drone flying over Yemen. And just last week, the Houthis claimed responsibility for an attack targeting American warships.

The militias fired more than a half dozen ballistic missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles and two drones at three US ships that were traveling through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, but all were intercepted by the Navy destroyers, according to several US officials.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet publicly released.

Houthis have targeted more than 80 merchant vessels with missiles and drones since the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza started last October. They have seized one vessel and sunk two in the campaign that has also killed four sailors.

Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by a US-led coalition in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets, which have included Western military vessels.

The Houthis have maintained that they target ships linked to Israel, the US or the United Kingdom to force an end to Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the conflict, including some bound for Iran.