Prof. Kobi Michael: Hamas quickly endorsed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s decision to postpone the Palestinian Legislative Council elections, originally scheduled for November 28, until September 11, 2027. The delay would give the terror group time to rebuild its support base and strengthen its political position while fueling criticism of its main rival, Fatah.
The elections would be postponed, said Hamas’s endorsement of the decision was unsurprising, as the group understood that the delay would give it time to rebuild its legitimacy and support base in Gaza.
Hamas needed to rebuild its support base if it hoped to make gains in the PLC elections. Its alliance with Democratic Reform’s current leader, Mohammed Dahlan, was still in its early stages, meaning the group could use the additional time to better organize their political position with and in the national front party led by Dahlan.
Published in The Jerusalem Post, October 11, 2026.
*The opinions expressed in Misgav publications are the authors’ alone.
