Hamas backing Palestinian election delay to rebuild support, fuel attacks on Abbas, expert says

Hamas could use the election delay to rebuild political legitimacy and retain influence in Gaza through an allied PLC list, despite committing to hand over control to the Board of Peace.

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, Prof. Kobi Michael, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) and the Misgav Institute, told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday.

In a statement late Saturday, Hamas reaffirmed the need to “put our affairs in order through a democratic process of free and fair elections,” but described the postponement as necessary “given the absence of the necessary political, security, and on-the-ground conditions” across the Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.

“We affirm our readiness to engage in comprehensive dialogue to reach clear outcomes that are binding on all parties,” the statement read. “These should include mechanisms for putting Palestinian affairs in order, particularly with regard to the Palestinian National Council and the Palestinian Legislative Council; agreement on a comprehensive national strategy encompassing the political program and the management of the transitional period; confronting serious Zionist threats targeting our national cause; and saving our people wherever they are, particularly in the Gaza Strip, which is facing a war of extermination and forced displacement.”

Abbas said the postponement was necessary because of the security situation in the Gaza Strip and alleged Israeli obstacles to holding elections in East Jerusalem. Israel’s foreign minister denied the latter claim.

Michael, who had long predicted that 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.

Poll shows declining support for Hamas, Fatah, falling confidence in war outcome

An August poll by the Ramallah-based Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research showed declining support for both Hamas and Fatah. The proportion of respondents who believed Hamas had won the war against Israel also fell, from 39% in October 2025 to just 20%.

Michael said Hamas needed to rebuild its support base if it hoped to make gains in the PLC elections. He also noted that 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.”

“Time is working in their favor,” Michael continued, noting that anger over the postponement was being directed almost entirely at Fatah, potentially damaging its public standing ahead of what could be a critical vote for Hamas.

Hamas seeks to retain political influence through Palestinian elections

The group has already committed to handing over control of the Gaza Strip to the Board of Peace, Michael noted. Winning seats in the PLC through its allied list could give Hamas a way to retain political influence while promoting an image of democratic legitimacy to the international community.

“By attacking and criticizing Abu Mazen (Abbas) over the postponement of the elections, building and strengthening its political alliance with Dahlan, Hamas can position itself as the ultimate alternative to the PA and Abu Mazen,” he concluded