CAIRO, (Palestine Foundation Information Center), Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad held talks in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, on Wednesday to discuss developments in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, as well as the latest political developments and efforts to advance Palestinian national dialogue.
The meeting brought together a Hamas delegation headed by its West Bank chief Zaher Jabarin and a Palestinian Islamic Jihad delegation led by the movement’s Secretary-General Ziad al-Nakhalah.
The two delegations discussed political and field developments related to the Palestinian cause, as well as ways to support the steadfastness of the Palestinian people amid the current challenges.
The talks also addressed the Israeli escalation in the occupied West Bank, including settlement expansion, settler attacks, Israeli raids and continuing violations against Aqsa Mosque.
The two movements also discussed ways to advance Palestinian national dialogue and narrow differences among Palestinian factions and political forces in a manner that strengthens Palestinian unity and serves national interests, alongside several other issues related to the current political stage.
Egyptian efforts to advance national dialogue
A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo earlier Wednesday as part of continuing consultations over initiatives aimed at advancing internal Palestinian national dialogue.
The visit coincides with consultations hosted by Cairo in preparation for a comprehensive Palestinian dialogue, following visits to Egypt by Fatah officials Jibril Rajoub and Mohammad Shtayyeh for discussions with Egyptian officials and Palestinian factions ahead of the proposed talks.
The Egyptian efforts build on previous rounds of Palestinian dialogue hosted in Cairo, including a meeting held on January 14, 2026, with the participation of Palestinian factions and political forces to discuss issues related to the Gaza ceasefire.
Talks over a national electoral list
Political discussions in Cairo are also examining the possibility of forming a broad national list to contest the upcoming Palestinian legislative elections, potentially bringing together parties with different political and organizational backgrounds in an attempt to move beyond traditional factional divisions.
Reports indicate that Palestinian political forces have reached a preliminary understanding to discuss a potential electoral list that could include Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, alongside the Fatah Democratic Reform Current led by Mohammed Dahlan, Nasser al-Qudwa’s current and the Al-Nasser Salah al-Din Brigades.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a presidential decree in July setting Saturday, November 28, 2026, as the date for Palestinian Legislative Council elections.
The decree called on Palestinians in Jerusalem, the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip to participate in free and direct legislative elections to choose members of the Palestinian Legislative Council on the scheduled date.
