Cairo Talks to Determine Hamas’ Participation in Upcoming Elections

Senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya (File photo: Reuters)
Senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya (File photo: Reuters)
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Cairo Talks to Determine Hamas’ Participation in Upcoming Elections

Senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya (File photo: Reuters)
Senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya (File photo: Reuters)

Hamas is yet to decide on the "form of participation" in the 2021 Palestinian general elections as there are “multiple options”, announced the group’s politburo member.

Hamas senior member Khalil al-Hayya told a press conference in Gaza that the movement will determine the shape of participation after the Cairo talks, scheduled for February 8.

Hayya said the discussions will particularly focus on “the legal and judicial process related to the vote," indicating that Hamas objects to the recent judicial measures of Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

The official underlined the importance of reaching an agreement between Palestinian factions on the formation of an “electoral court”, calling for restructuring the Constitutional Court in a “brotherly spirit.”

Hayya stressed that it was time to lift the sanctions imposed on the Gaza Strip, stressing that ending the intra-Palestinian division requires consensus on the joint political program.

The leader warned against Israeli interference in the elections, asserting that the national responsibility is to stand up to the occupation.

“We want the Palestinian citizen to feel completely free to vote, campaign, and form lists.”

Hayya asserted Hamas' intention to hold the elections in Jerusalem while calling for smooth elections in the West Bank.

The Cairo dialogue will be attended by all Palestinian factions, during which they will discuss security issues, the court, and reaching an agreement between Fatah and Hamas, which could otherwise mean that there won’t be elections in Gaza.

The talks will test whether the factions can reach an agreement on holding the elections next May, according to the decree issued by the President.



Yemen's Houthis Launched Missile at US Fighter Jet, Missed

Houthi militants stormed the Greek tanker "Sunion" and rigged its deck with explosives before blowing it up (EPA)
Houthi militants stormed the Greek tanker "Sunion" and rigged its deck with explosives before blowing it up (EPA)
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Yemen's Houthis Launched Missile at US Fighter Jet, Missed

Houthi militants stormed the Greek tanker "Sunion" and rigged its deck with explosives before blowing it up (EPA)
Houthi militants stormed the Greek tanker "Sunion" and rigged its deck with explosives before blowing it up (EPA)

Yemen's Houthis launched surface-to-air missiles at an American fighter jet and MQ-9 Reaper drone this week, but did not hit either, two US officials told Reuters.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not specify if the attacks occurred over the Red Sea or Yemen itself.

One said the incidents could suggest the Houthis were improving their targeting capabilities.

Abdul Malik al-Houthi, who leads the Iran-backed group, said in a televised speech on Feb. 13 that the Houthis would intervene with missiles and drones and attack vessels in the Red Sea if the United States and Israel tried to remove Palestinians from Gaza by force.

An Israel-Hamas ceasefire took effect in Gaza on January 19 but has appeared close to collapse recently amid mutual accusations of violations.

US President Donald Trump has infuriated the Arab world with a plan to permanently displace Palestinians from Gaza and take over the enclave to turn it into a beach resort.

The Houthis have carried out more than 100 attacks on ships off Yemen since November 2023 in support of Gaza's Palestinian militants fighting Israel, disrupting global shipping.