A delegation from the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah) arrived in Cairo on Saturday for talks with Egyptian officials and Palestinian factions, as efforts intensify to rebuild Palestinian political unity ahead of the upcoming legislative elections.

The delegation, headed by Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh, is expected to discuss preparations for the elections and ways to strengthen cooperation among Palestinian factions at a critical moment for the Palestinian cause.

Fatah spokesperson and Revolutionary Council member Munther al-Hayek said the delegation traveled to Cairo to meet Egyptian officials as well as representatives of Palestinian factions.

According to al-Hayek, the talks aim to help ensure the success of the elections, strengthen Palestinian national unity and establish a foundation for the next phase of the Palestinian political struggle.

A Fatah source told Xinhua that preparations were also underway for a meeting with Hamas to discuss the upcoming legislative elections and the challenges confronting the Palestinian people.

Hamas has meanwhile reaffirmed its commitment to participating in the legislative elections as part of the broadest possible national coalition.

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said the movement views the elections as an opportunity to establish a consensual political system acceptable to all Palestinian factions.

He said Hamas wants the electoral process to contribute to the formation of a unified national leadership capable of confronting the political, humanitarian and national challenges facing the Palestinian people.

The position signals a potentially significant step toward overcoming the political division that has fractured Palestinian governance for nearly two decades.

Qassem stressed that Palestinian political forces should work together rather than allow internal divisions to weaken the Palestinian cause at a time when Palestinians face mounting challenges.

The Cairo talks come amid reports of efforts to establish a broad electoral alliance involving several major Palestinian political movements.

The proposed coalition could include Fatah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Democratic Reformist Current.

Such an alliance would represent an attempt to place Palestinian national unity above factional competition and create a common political framework for addressing the Palestinian people's aspirations.

Egypt has played a longstanding role in attempts to bridge divisions between Palestinian factions. Cairo has hosted a series of meetings in recent days involving Palestinian political groups, alongside separate discussions with Egyptian officials and mediators concerning a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

The latest diplomatic efforts come as Palestinians continue to face the devastating consequences of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, as well as occupation, settlement expansion, raids and settler violence in the West Bank.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a presidential decree on July 9 setting Nov. 28 as the date for legislative elections. Presidential elections are scheduled for the first quarter of next year.

If held as planned, the elections would represent the first Palestinian legislative vote in two decades.

The last legislative elections were held in 2006, when Hamas won a majority. The result was followed by escalating political tensions and eventually a territorial and political split between Hamas-controlled Gaza and the Palestinian Authority-led West Bank.

Subsequent elections were repeatedly postponed, largely because of the deep political divide between Fatah and Hamas.

For many Palestinians, the prospect of a new electoral process carries significance far beyond the formation of a parliament.

The destruction and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, continued Israeli military operations, displacement and the expansion of Israeli settlements have created an urgent need for a unified Palestinian political strategy.

Supporters of reconciliation argue that a fragmented Palestinian leadership has weakened the Palestinian position internationally and made it more difficult to effectively represent Palestinians in diplomatic and political negotiations.

A broad electoral coalition could therefore provide a platform for different Palestinian factions to compete politically while maintaining a shared commitment to national rights, Jerusalem and Palestinian self-determination.

The Cairo meetings are consequently being closely watched as Palestinian factions attempt to turn years of division into a new phase of political cooperation.

With Hamas expressing readiness to participate within the broadest possible national coalition and Fatah engaging in talks with rival factions, the upcoming elections could become an important opportunity for Palestinians to renew their political institutions and strengthen national unity. (ILKHA)