Palestinian reconciliation

Evan Vucci / Getty Images

Analysis

Why Palestinians see success of Trump talks as contingent on Israeli elections

Some view the channel to Jared Kushner as necessary for reaching a political settlement, but others see a US effort to secure Palestinian acquiescence to Trump’s Gaza plans.

Mohammed Najib

By Mohammed Najib

Displaced Palestinian people look at paintings at an open-air art exhibition at the Bureij camp for Palestinian refugees in the central Gaza Strip on April 28, 2026. The majority of Gaza's 2.4 million people have been displaced, often multiple times, by the war that began with Hamas's attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. With displaced families living in tented camps, with serious concerns raised about their living conditions. (Photo by Eyad Baba / AFP via Getty Images) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDI

Analysis

Why Abbas' win in Gaza remains 'symbolic,' not rejection of Hamas

Affiliates of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas performed relatively well in the municipal elections, though the vote was marred by complications relating to the war and the exclusion of Hamas.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

ANKARA, TURKEY - JANUARY 21: Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to MPs at his party's group meeting in the Turkish parliament on January 21, 2026 in Ankara, Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is among world leaders that have been invited by United States President Donald Trump, to join the Gaza Board of Peace, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was also included as an appointed member. (Photo by Serdar Ozsoy/Getty Images)

Analysis

Why Turkey’s exclusion from Gaza force may be a strategic blessing

Despite being excluded from Gaza’s international stabilization force, Ankara will likely leverage its ties with Hamas to maintain influence within the Trump administration’s Board of Peace.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Basem Naim, member of Hamaspolitical bureau speaks during an interview with AFP in Istanbul on February 8, 2025. Hamas has no desire to return to war with Israel, a senior official with the Palestinian group told AFP on February 8, 2025, nearly three weeks into a fragile ceasefire that halted fighting in Gaza. "Returning to war is certainly not our wish nor our decision," Basem Naim said in an interview. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP) (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)

Exclusive

Hamas official says group needs guarantees on war's end and statehood to disarm

Senior Hamas official Basem Naim stopped short of pledging that Hamas would not fire on international troops, but said the militant group has "no problem” with the stabilization force.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Latest News

PA’s Abbas jostles for seat at the table as Gaza ceasefire progresses

Abbas at UN

Analysis

Trump squeezes Palestinian leadership as West Bank teeters

An Israeli flag flies along a highway near the settlement of Carmel on Aug. 4, 2025, in the South Hebron Hills of the West Bank.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Interview

Senior Palestinian official Jibril Rajoub calls for 'Marshall-like plan' to rebuild Gaza

Secretary-General of Fatah’s Central Committee Jibril Rajoub looks on during an interview in Paris on July 27, 2024.

Jibril Rajoub

Jibril Rajoub

Fatah Central Committee Secretary-General

What PA's Abbas hopes to gain from Russia’s Putin following Moscow visit

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state owned Sputnik agency Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) meets Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas in Novo-Ogaryovo, outside Moscow on August 13, 2024.

Daoud Kuttab

By Daoud Kuttab

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Opinion polls paint a gloomy turnout in upcoming Palestinian general elections

All eyes are on the latest polls in the Palestinian territories as more factions agree to hold the parliamentary and presidential elections in February.

Palestinian Authority, UAE may be ready to reconcile

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is preparing to visit the UAE after years of estrangement to offer condolences for a death in the ruling family and perhaps to pursue other goals.

United Arab Emirates

Questions arise about Hamas' absence in fight with Israel

Hamas and Islamic Jihad are touting their unity following a brief dust-up after Hamas sat out the most recent battle between Israel and the resistance.

Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh, Gaza's Hamas Chief Yehya Al-Sinwar, and other Palestinian factions' leaders take part in a protest against Bahrain's workshop for U.S. Middle East peace plan, in Gaza City, June 26, 2019. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem - RC169399FED0

Will Hamas accept Israeli incentives?

Israel is reportedly considering offering Hamas incentives in the Gaza Strip, following the movement not getting involved in the latest confrontation between Israel and Islamic Jihad.

Palestinians await presidential decree to hold general elections

The PA’s call for general elections seems to have gained traction in Palestine, especially with Hamas' approval for them to be held.

Palestinians hold a poster of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan during a Hamas rally in support of Erdogan's government against a coup attempt, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip July 16, 2016. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - S1AETPWJGAAA

Fatah, Hamas fight over Turkey

Both Hamas and Fatah are intensifying contacts with Turkey, in tandem with the preparation for Palestinian elections.

Hamas sets some demands for elections, concedes others

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas are moving closer to agreeing on election stipulations, but some conditions must still be addressed.

Gaza's Hamas Chief Yehya Al-Sinwar talks to media before meeting with Chairman of the Palestinian Central Election Committee Hana Naser, in Gaza City October 28, 2019. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem - RC1A280595B0

How will Hamas participate in upcoming elections?

After Hamas announced its readiness to participate in Palestinian elections, the leadership is considering the current circumstances and past experiences in order to come up with an effective way to take part in the polls.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas attends the 30th Arab Summit in Tunis, Tunisia March 31, 2019. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi - RC144511DDC0

Many questions surround possible Palestinian elections

Some Fatah members say President Mahmoud Abbas will be the party's sole candidate in the potential presidential election, though others may have their eyes on the office.

Small groups of protesters gather shouting anti-government slogans in central Cairo, Egypt September 21, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany - RC1BCB9C0740

Hamas orders its supporters not to comment on anti-Sisi demonstrations

Hamas decided to distance itself from Egyptian demonstrations demanding the departure of Sisi.

Abbas strategically times his call for Palestinian elections

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' announcement before the UN that he will call for elections in Palestinian territories seemed to be an attempt to prevent Hamas and Israel from objecting to the long-awaited voting.

Will new initiative spark interest in ending the Hamas-Fatah schism?

Eight Palestinian factions in Gaza have put forward an initiative to end the Palestinian divide ongoing since 2007.