Mahmoud Abbas reaffirmed plans for Palestinian legislative elections on November 28, the first in 20 years, despite doubts. Some Fatah officials cite Israel's refusal to let election materials into Gaza; Fatah has not said if it has a candidate list.
The Palestinian Central Election Commission says it will begin receiving candidate applications on Saturday. Hamas says it will take part and is discussing a coalition with other groups, including former Fatah leader Mohammad Dahlan, who is based in the United Arab Emirates.
Palestinians have held no legislative or presidential elections since 2005-06, after which Hamas seized control of Gaza, ousting Abbas' loyalists. Abbas has decreed a presidential election for 2027 but has not set a date. The Trump administration said it would deny Palestinian officials entry to the UN meeting; Abbas, who was denied a visa, called the measures unlawful and urged Washington to lift them.
